Social Skills Groups with like minded Peers By Jules Tushuizen 5th April 2024
Social skills develop from a young age, through the support of parents, schools and interactions with other people. While there are some ‘rules’ with any social interaction, it’s important that children feel included and supported for who they are as individuals.
Not all social ‘rules’ are meaningful, useful or necessary. Learning how to feel safe with others and learning how to set boundaries are lifelong skills that can make positive differences no matter what age we are. As parents, nurturing these skills from a young age can help children participate and engage, learn new things, and make choices that feel right for them now and when they’re older.
Understanding Social Skill Development in Children
Social skill development involves learning how to interact with others, communicate effectively, and navigate social situations. In the early years of schooling, children begin to develop these skills through interactions with peers, teachers, and family members. Activities such as cooperative play, group projects, and classroom discussions provide opportunities for children to practice and refine their social skills. For some children, play looks very different to other children, and that’s okay. Finding someone with like minded interests is a great way to develop and feel included, as opposed to ‘pretending’, ‘masking’ or feeling obligated to do something.
How Speech Pathologists Can Help
While social skill development takes place all children will need guidance and support. Speech pathologists can play a crucial role in supporting children with social skill difficulties. They can assess a child's social communication abilities while supporting who they are as individuals and teaching ideas in a way that is different or easier for some learning styles. Children are not forced or coerced to participate, but rather supported to engage as they naturally prefer, while providing information or helping when things can get tricky or complicated.
Undiagnosed Social Skill Difficulties: A Barrier to Learning
Undiagnosed social skill difficulties can significantly impact a child's learning experience. It’s important that children feel included, supported and celebrated for who they are. Children who struggle with social skills may have difficulty forming friendships, collaborating with peers, and participating in group activities. With the right support these things are explained and normalized for not all children interact and engage the same way. If supports aren’t put into place it may lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and academic underachievement. Moreover, social skill difficulties can interfere with classroom learning, if the teacher is unaware of the child’s needs and is unsure of who best to support them.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Early intervention is key to addressing social skill difficulties effectively. By identifying and addressing challenges early on, parents and teachers can work together with the child. Speech pathologists and occupational therapists play a crucial role in this process, offering expertise and guidance to support children's social development.
References:
Raising Children Network. (2022). Social development: primary school children. Retrieved from https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/development/social-development/social-development-primary-school
Speech Pathology Australia. (n.d.). Social Communication. Retrieved from https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Social_Communication.aspx
