"Let's Take Turns"

Social Language Skills Program

Amy Arledge, M.A., CCC-SLP

In the early years, young children build the foundation, even non-verbally, for the roots of their social development through play skills with family members, friends, and others. Social skills are a life-long learning competency that is a critical building block to further cognitive, language, and communication skills. The development of adequate social language skills helps children build stronger, more mature social interactions throughout their youth and into their adult life.

Children who exhibit delays in social development and social maturity may require additional assistance to "figure out" the rules for social and peer interactions. Social language groups can help children gain stronger social skills through developing guidelines and "role-playing" through different situations.

The social language skills program at Abilities is a 5-week program designed to enhance the social language development of young children. Social skill objectives will be targeted according to each child’s needs and natural social language development. At the completion of the five-week program, the Speech-Language Pathologist will provide additional suggestions to the parents to help the children maintain the skills learned.

Does your child have difficulty with any of the following social language skills?

• taking turns in play and conversation
• using appropriate facial expressions
• social greeting
• keeping conversations on topic
• controlling volume of conversation
• manners
• introducing a topic
• accepting help from others
• understanding figurative language and humor

If so, than he or she may benefit from this program. The following objectives will be targeted:

Group One - Ages 5 to 7

• Establishing and maintaining eye contact
• Taking turns in play and conversations
• Listening and following directions
• Using appropriate facial expressions
• Making friends
• Keeping conversations on topic
• Social greetings

Group Two - Ages 8 to 10

• Listening and following directions
• Understanding and dealing with feelings
• Controlling volume of conversation
• "Dos" and Don’ts" for interrupting
• Apologizing
• Maintaining conversation with an adult
• Manners
• Using body language appropriately

Group Three - Ages 11 to 13

• Keeping a conversation going
• Accepting consequences
• Introducing a topic
• Changing topics
• Accepting help from others
• Responding to criticism
• Requesting clarification
• Understanding figurative language & humor

No assessment is necessary for participation in this group.

For more information, please contact:

Amy Arledge, M.A. CCC-SLP
amy.arledge@abilitiesinfo.com

Download a registration form.