Social Skills

Our programs are based on the philosophy that the greatest personal learning and growth will occur when individuals feel safe and respected in their environment. Through meaningful connection with each child, group facilitators work to understand what each child requires to feel safe and respected. In such an environment, it is possible for participants to learn about and practice challenging social skills.

Daily social life (at home and in school) can be challenging and confusing! Our social development program curriculum covers several skill areas geared to increase children’s abilities to cope with and achieve well-being in their daily interactions with others. Although social skills are often abstract concepts, group facilitators teach the skills using explicit step-by-step strategies and concrete examples, through a variety of activities and discussions.

While our social development programs cover a range of skills and behaviors, some examples or key components are:

Self awareness is covered through understanding our own personal boundaries, values and beliefs. Once participants understand what their personal boundaries, values and beliefs are, it is possible for them to learn and be aware of and respect other people’s boundaries, values and beliefs. Self-regulation is taught through helping children with strategies for them to ‘be in charge of themselves’. Social problem solving is explored through group role-play and strategies that help children progress beyond ‘ignoring’ or ‘walking way’. Assertive communication is taught through step-by-step strategies that give children the tools to clearly and solidly stating their feelings and needs (i.e. through using ‘I’ statements and appropriate body language). The importance of assertive communication is also explored through comparing the consequences of aggressive, assertive and passive communication. Group facilitators lead children through fun activities that underline the importance of following instructions and asking for help when we need it. An underlying theme of our program is that before we can begin to connect with and understand others, it is important for us to understand ourselves. Throughout the program, participants are provided with strategies to increase their awareness of and control of their own emotions (such as frustration and anxiety).
Over the course of the program, children are provided with the opportunity and with the feedback to understand and develop their own inner strength and resilience in the face of challenges (regardless of what they are. This positive esteem building experience allows children to take risks, learn and understand they are unique individuals – the building blocks for developing positive relationships.

Our social development programs would be helpful for any child or youth who finds some or all of the above skill areas challenging. Staff is also available to work with children in the development of self awareness skills in a one on one environment if this would be more appropriate. Participants are grouped with others of similar age. Program curriculum is adjusted for each age level to be developmentally appropriate. If you think that a child or youth you know would benefit from this type of support, please download a registration form or contact us at the LDA-SVI.