Teaching Social Skills Interventions to teach children how to socialize: Grades K-12.

Reframing Problem Behavior  Behaviors are used to get needs met  They are using it to join or avoid activities, obtain or avoid attention, obtain objects  Use interventions to teach children socially conventional ways to address their needs

Important First Step  Begin all interventions with responsive caregiving that helps the student create a positive sense of self.  Focus on your relationship with the student and their family.

How to Teach Social Skills  Explain a new skill  Demonstrate the skill  Give positive feedback  Provide opportunities to practice  Goal: For the skill to become generalized

Elementary Interventions Ways to teach social skills to elementary school children

Types of Skills to Teach  Following rules, routines and directions  Identifying feelings in oneself and others  Controlling anger and impulses  Problem solving  Suggesting activities to peers  Sharing materials  Taking turns  Helping adults and peers  Giving compliments  Understanding how and when to apologize  Expressing empathy with others’ feelings  Recognizing that anger can interfere with problem solving  Learning to recognize anger in oneself and others  Learning how to calm down  Understanding appropriate ways to express anger

Ways to Teach Social Skills  Teacher Modeling  Peer partners  Use children’s literature or videos  Specific encouragement  Incidental teaching: using a natural interaction to practice the skill

Peer Modeling Videos  e.com/channel/U CPpNVQ8ZKZXpTJ3 CuLaDLGg e.com/channel/U CPpNVQ8ZKZXpTJ3 CuLaDLGg  Aimee Bastin from Fishers Elementary School  Created a video project for Special Ed students to learn social skills

Middle School Interventions Ways to teach social skills to middle school children

Types of Skills to Teach  All elementary skills listed before  Checking one’s own understanding  Eye contact  Keeping remarks at an appropriate length  Building on others’ comments and ideas  Staying on topic  Respecting time limits  Responding to constructive criticism

Ways to Teach Social Skills  Teacher Modeling  Peer partners  Incidental teaching: using a natural interaction to practice the skill  Social skills autopsies: after problem behavior occurs, discuss what happened and why  Multimedia instruction

Social Stories  e.com/watch?v=d 6JMteuSS40 e.com/watch?v=d 6JMteuSS40  Describes a situation where a child will have to use a specific behavior and shows common responses or social cues. Always framed positively.

High School Interventions Ways to teach social skills to high school children

Types of Skills to Teach  All elementary/middle school skills  Healthy peer and romantic relationships  Self confidence  Self assertiveness  Self efficacy

Ways to Teach Social Skills  Focus on transitioning  Use reinforcement sparingly  Work-based training opportunities  Encourage them to participate in after school programs (ones without tryouts)  Journal writing

Demonstration Activity!  Using children’s books to teach social skills  “Little Raccoon Learns to Share”