1. Strategies to Promote Positive Social Interactions
WWB Training Kit #6
Using Environmental
Strategies to Promote Positive Social Interactions

2. Why is it important to promote positive social interaction?

3. Environmental strategies to promote positive social interactions
Focus on environmental strategies
Environmental strategies are changes and adaptations that can be made to a classroom’s environment to encourage positive social interaction between children

4. Changing and adapting group composition
Group children according to their characteristics
Consider the number of children in each group

5. Changing and adapting activities
Limit the number of centers
Have motivating activities

6. Changing and adapting materials
Use novel materials/rotate toys
Provide social toys
Suggest new ideas for engaging with the materials

7. Additional Resources
Odom, S. L., McConnell, S. R., Ostrosky, M., Peterson, C., Skellenger, A., Spicuzza, R., Chandler, L. K., & McEvoy, M. A. (1997).Play time, social time: Organizing your classroom to build interaction skills. Minneapolis: Institute on Community Integration,University of Minnesota. [The curriculum can be ordered at:
Sandall, S., McLean, M. E., & Smith, B. J. (2000). DEC recommended practices in early intervention/early childhood special education. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.