While our kids are warm, compassionate and intelligent, but there are times when they act before thinking. Sometimes they find themselves in difficult situations with either friends or with authoritative  figures and respond before thoughtfully analyzing the situation and making a proper decision. Our children need to learn skills which will enable proper emotional management, proper reaction to group dynamics, and the maintenance of relationships. We do this by teaching the participants the tools and coping mechanisms needed to deal with themselves and those around them. This is the focus of our Social Skills Program.

Our Social Skills Program is an interactive program for children using art, drama, music and play to teach social skills. Our project includes a parental component where every parent will receive a weekly handout, describing our weekly sessions and give suggestions on how they can reinforce the development of these social skills.

Each group consists of max 8 children with 2 facilitators to make success attainable. Our weekly sessions are held after school and are 90 minutes long. The participants learn by using art, drama, music and play the programs begin in the week of September 20, 2010. 

Brief Program Overview (Children Pre K-Grade 2)

Topic 1: Routines

This class will focus on the importance of routines and structure. What are routines? What is their importance? How do we behave on the bus? How we prepare for class? How do we deal with transitional times throughout the day?

Topic 2: Self- Esteem

This class is designed to help children identify their strengths, weakness, likes, dislikes and interests. The goal is to develop a well functioning group from the participants.

Topic 3: Building Friendships

What skills do children need to develop friendships? Why do we need friends? What makes a good friend?

Topic 4:  Feelings

This class is designed to help children identify their own emotions physically. What does body language tell us and how do our emotions determine our actions.

Topic 5:  Listening

Focus will be on what we need to do to listen and follow directions and the importance of these skills.

Topic 6:  Mid Wrap Up

The children will be given a wrap up to firmly establish what was taught during the program and how to implement them individually.

Topic 7: Teamwork

How do we work together to get something done? How does one develop an individual role within a group? Focus will be on negotiation and compromise.

Topic 8: Manners

What does it mean to be polite? Why is politeness important? This session will teach students the value of being polite to others and having manners.

Topic 9: Getting Along & Joining In

What is personal space?  How do we respect our own and that of others? How do we appreciate differences in other children? How do we join into a game effectively and appropriately?

Topic 10: Solving Conflicts/Bullying

We aim to teach the group how to identifying negative emotions and constructive ways of dealing with anger and frustration.  How do we deal with a bully and intimidation properly.

Topic 11: Decision Making

What is the difference between a good decision and a bad one? This session will teach proper decision making and consequences of living with the decisions made.

Topic 12: Final Wrap Up/Graduation

The children will be given a wrap up to firmly establish the various techniques taught and their implementation.

Brief Program Overview for Children (grades 3-6)

Topic 1: Self- Esteem

This class is designed to help children identify their strengths, weakness, likes and dislikes and interests. Developing a well functioning group from the participants

Topic 2: Listening/Following Directions

Focus will be on listening skills and how to follow proper directions and their importance.

Topic 3: Feelings

This class is designed to help children identify their own emotions physically. What are their bodies telling us and how do our emotions determine our actions. Focus is on feelings such as anger, sadness, envy, jealousy, loneliness and injustice.

Topic 4: Non Verbal Communication and Personal Space

How important are our bodies when we communicate? How we say it is as important as what we say. What is personal space, and how do we respect our own and that of others?

Topic 5: Team Work

This class is about learning how to work together to get something done. Focus will be on negotiation and compromise, learning how to develop an individual role within a group.

Topic 6: Building Friendships

What skills do children need to develop a friendship? How do we appreciate differences in other children?  Why do we need friends and what makes a good friend?

Topic 7: Mid Term Wrap Up

The children will be given a wrap up to firmly establish the various techniques that were taught during the    program and how to implement them personally.

Topic 8: Solving Conflicts

During this week we focus on recognizing and identifying negative emotions. We aim to teach the group constructive ways of dealing with anger and frustration,

Topic 9: Bullying

What is a bully? Is your child a bully, a victim or a bystander? How do we deal with intimidation, how do we stick up for themselves?

Topic 10: In the School Yard

Unstructured moments in our student’s lives create a potential for trouble. How do our participants join into games, deal with difficult personalities and situations

Topic 11: Keeping Friends

What skills do children need to maintain a friendship? How do we appreciate differences in other children?  What makes a good friend? How does each friend individually meet our needs?

Topic 12: Final Wrap Up and Graduation