5 Tips for Running a Social Skills Group (ages 4-7)

Many of the children on my caseload have social skills goals. So many in fact, that my resource room teacher and myself co-teach 3 different groups, in addition to the work that I do in the speech room with these students.

Although our system is constantly evolving depending on our moods and the needs of the students, we have learned a few principals that seem to work consistently with our higher-functioning students.

Here are some tips to help you run a successful social skills group!

 

This year we are using the Zones of Regulation to think about how they are feeling. We are in the midst of teaching the students to think about their bodies and minds and determine which zone they are currently in:

• Not enough energy to learn
• Ready to learn
• Too much energy to learn
• Out of control

I have taken the students’ pictures and added Velcro. The students being each group by checking in. I keep my zones on my white board.  Right from the beginning of our group, we can talk about tools to help the students get into green if they are in yellow or blue.

 

I would love to tell you that my students are intrinsically motivated to learn social skills. The reality, however, is that most of my students need an external motivator. We allow the students a few minutes of play time in the “break” area if they reach their goal.

My special educator teacher and myself use things like these free Token Boards or checklists to reinforce their participation.

 

I love to create fun materials for my social skills group! My favorites include my puppets, Tilly and Frank. I have now created 16 social skills lessons (with more on the way!) that include puppet shows, games, activities, and social story books.

We have sooooo much fun with our puppet shows! We really get into the characters and the kids always ask about the puppets! Other teachers will even come in to watch our puppet shows!

We also play games such as my FREE Emotions Bingo to help work on identifying emotions and zones.

Fun visual ideas for this age range include:

• Tilly and Frank Social Lessons by Super Power Speech
• Silly Scenes by Carissa Ten Hoeve
• Emotions Bingo (FREE) by Super Power Speech
• The Incredible Flexible You by Michelle Garcia Winner
• Tilly and Frank present Holidays by Super Power Speech

 

Have fun!! Here are some great ways to role play with young children:

• puppets
• dress up
• children direct the adults what to do and how

And here are some great skills to role play:

• classroom skills (sitting at your desk, raising your hand)
• hall skills (walking in a line)
• playground skills (going up the slide ladder, waiting for a swing)
• social skills (high 5s, shake hands, greetings)
• social problem solving (sharing, taking turns)

 

Social skills are only learned when they are practiced over and over! That is why my Tilly and Frank includes a home connection with every lesson (books and worksheets).

In addition, my social homework packet is helpful for students that are a little older (6+) to practice with a parent.

Finally, students must practice with peers and siblings! Neighbors, brothers, sisters, cousins, and others must be invested in the process to help the child master his/her social skills!

 

Not sure what to work on with your students? Use my Social Language Informal Assessment to help you develop some goals!