Training in Core Social Skills
School Year Group Program
Our School Year Group Program has three levels and is designed for youth ages 7-15 who have difficulty interacting successfully with others due to social skill deficits.
Children and teens may take all three levels or only those recommended. A half-hour telephone intake interview is conducted with parents/caregivers to learn a bit more about the child so we can assess which, if any, of our programs might provide the best support for the child.
Level I: The Hidden Conversation
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Children can have difficulty interacting with others because they miss the subtle nuances of social interaction, or what we call social cues. They hear the words people say but may not understand the full message because they do not understand the “hidden conversation”, the part of the message that is made up of the nonverbal ways we communicate. They also may be unaware of the subtle messages they send through their own body language or tone of voice, as well as expected behaviour in social situations.
Our goal is to help children enhance their ability to interact with others by learning the importance of nonverbal communication and how “hidden” messages are sent to us and by us.
Children will become more proficient at responding appropriately to these messages, as well as sending messages that help them interact more successfully with others.
Emphasis will be on the following:
Learning vocabulary for feelings and how they are communicated.
Recognizing, understanding and responding to nonverbal and contextual cues from others (body language, facial expression etc.
Recognizing and using voice cues such as tone and volume to communicate effectively.
Looking at our own nonverbal communication and recognizing how it can affect the messages we send and how others receive them.
Understanding how our messages and behaviour can positively or negatively affect our ability to build social relationships.
Level 2: Successful Communication
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Some children have difficulty interacting with others because they have not developed effective communication skills. They may have difficulty listening and responding to others in a way that keeps the conversation “flowing”. Children may also have difficulty knowing how to initiate conversations or join in those that are already ongoing. They may not understand “conversational manners” that make the conversation a positive experience for both parties. Our goal is to help children who perhaps have difficulty knowing how to express emotions and needs in an effective manner.
Emphasis will be on the following:
Conversations (initiating, listening, interrupting, staying on topic, conversational manners)
Offering and asking for help; Asking questions to deepen conversations and connections
Joining in; Including others
Expressing emotions and needs in an effective way
Understanding figurative speech (sarcasm, irony, similes, metaphors, etc.)
For Teens: Online communication strategies
Level 3: Positive Peer Interaction
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This level is for children who would like to gain greater self-control within themselves with emotions and handling difficult situations.
They may not know how to handle problems involving peers or be able to engage in effective conflict resolution. So, they may react passively, without their needs being met, or they may act aggressively, trying to solve problems and have their needs met in a way that might distance them from others. Some may experience anxiety that blocks them from interacting with others confidently and successfully.
Our goal is to help raise awareness of the steps to manage their own emotions and situations effectively and successfully, which creates stronger, more positive social relationships.
Emphasis will be on the following:
Dealing with feelings (anger, fear/anxiety, disappointment, failure, humour, embarrassment)
Understanding the feelings of others
Recognizing stress signs and causes; Self-monitoring stress levels; Stress prevention
Positive thinking – the connection between our thoughts and our feelings
Being assertive
Accepting consequences
Problem-solving and conflict resolution (negotiating, compromising, cooperating, etc.)
Dealing with teasing, peer pressure
Self-control
School Year Group Program Information
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8 weekly child sessions per Level (which include psychological consultation, intervention development, individual and group coaching)
3 parent training sessions per Level
1 final report per Level
Parent handouts, and child handouts.
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Programs are held in West Edmonton–address will be provided upon registration.