Encouraging Your Child’s Social Skills at Home

At Social Skills for All, we do all we can to support your child or teen as they flourish into their confident selves. Children who receive dual support at home and at Social Skills for All can exercise their new skills more effectively. These resources below help explain our social skills training, how to support your child, and what we can both do to help your child develop.

The Importance of Play

Playing is an important part of all children’s development! It is the primary way children learn social, emotional, communication, hand-eye coordination, and more. More importantly, play is important for children to feel included and develop self-esteem.

How Children with Disabilities Learn Through Play

We suggest using board games, reading books together, and making drawings to teach your child to connect with others. Parents can participate in play by being behavioral role models. For example, if your child has problems seeing things from others’ points of view, the parents can use statements like “I don’t understand what you mean” to demonstrate how to express themselves.

Make sure to encourage your child when they play well with others. Be specific when you give praise: for example, say “It was nice that you gave the ball to Evan when it was his turn.”

How to Make Playing Easier for Your Child

When you’re hosting a playdate for your child or starting a new play session, choose activities your child can do confidently. Kids are likely to play with others if they feel confident in their play activity. We also encourage offering play activities that can be done alone or with others. That can include painting, drawing, construction, musical instruments, outside play, and more.

What to Do When Play Doesn’t Go to Plan

People don’t always get along immediately, and not everyone is compatible with each other. That’s normal! Parents might have to step in sometimes and help manage difficult situations. Encourage your child to understand their feelings, manage them, and then express themselves. The most important part of play is ensuring your child has fun, so they’ll want to play again.

Learn more about the importance of play here:

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Parent to Parent of Georgia Special Needs Database