Social Skills Training Grades 1–6
Children today face extremely difficult times for development of social skills. There is an overall consensus that the social environment is much more challenging than when we were kids. Just to compound the problem, it seems that social and emotional IQ is in higher demand in order to be a successful, happy child.
I have great concerns about development of social skills. These annual training sessions are designed to help provide tools to help your child face challenges at school, extracurricular activities, and play. Social skills techniques are best acquired in a controlled setting. Small groups composed of boys and girls who face similar challenges are ideal. Plenty of experiential practice can take place in such settings.
Goals of the Training Groups
Diagnostic—It is very important for me to have the opportunity to observe your child in a challenging social setting. It allows me to “see” more clearly strengths and weaknesses that may not be seen in individual therapy.
Experiential—It is important to teach kids techniques to make negotiating the social world much easier. When socialization is easier, self-esteem is much improved. This is my target goal.
To achieve these goals we divide the group into two main segments:
- Didactic—this is a group lecture with group participation, illustrations, and examples.
- Experiential—this is “hands-on” practice with the new skills learned in the didactic. Practice is with the other individual members of the group. I am cheerleading and coaching as we go along.
Topics Covered in the Didactic:
- Social Skills are learned
- Why kids can be defensive
- What is sarcasm?
- Being a cool kid (prosocial behavior)
- Being an angry kid (adverse behavior)
- Tattling and the “rule police”
- Attention seeking behavior
- Dealing with name calling
- Dealing with teasing
- Being a good friend
Topics Covered in Experiential—Kids will learn and practice
- Eye contact (giving “smiling eyes”)
- Proxemics (personal space issues)
- Reading non-verbal cues and expressions
- Starting conversations
- Chaining (the skill of “small talk”)
- Being an “interesting” person
- Joining conversations already in progress
- Giving and receiving compliments
- Follow ups—friendships take work
Special Concerns for Girls
In the last decade, the behavior of girls has really changed. What were once Middle School behaviors can now be seen at a much younger age. Girls can be quite outspoken, opinionated, and mean-spirited. They can also be quite manipulative, conniving, and bossy. These are not complimentary, lady like behaviors. We will address these changes with examples that are age appropriate and provide strategies for dealing with these problems.
Special Concerns for Boys
Boys have always struggled with competitive, one-up manship and how to handle it. Today’s boys face others who are sharp tongued, sarcastic, and hyper-critical. These boys have NO problem expressing themselves. We will cover these topics and provide strategies for dealing effectively with these situations.
Foundation of Principles Taught
The principles for how we treat one another are based on basic Bible teachings. Although I don’t prosthelize to children, there are many times that we reference fundamental principles of right and wrong, kindness and respect, and practical reasons why we need to behave the way that God wants us to.
The kids attending Social Skills Group have friends and are not necessarily shy. They are learning the skills for social effectiveness, which are higher order skills.
- The kids are grouped by age and or relative maturity level in small groups.
- Each group meets once a year.
- The group is 3 1/2 hours long. This length helps me see how your child’s behavior changes, as time plays a factor in fatigue.
- Children who are returning will receive additional practice and enrichment. Each group is truly different as we age and develop. Skills are revised and updated as we mature.
- Cost: The group is $200. If you have any questions about insurance filing, etc, call Barbara @ 817-237-9889.
- Groups meet Sunday afternoon 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
- We have a snack of cookies and a drink at approximately 3:30pm.
Comment: New children always dread groups and they will NOT be thrilled due to their anxiety. Expect that. However, we take a vote at the end to see if:
a. It was helpful
b. They would want to do it again
I feel strongly that ALL of the kids need to attend. These are skills best learned in a group with similar issues and plenty of kids to practice.
You will need to call Julie @ 940-242-0501 to make a reservation for your group. If you cannot come, please call so that we can keep your child in mind in planning another group.
We are looking forward to this opportunity to do something a little different and yet, meaningful for your child.