Why Social Skills Groups Can Be a Game Changer for Kids

As we watch our kids grow from first steps to first words, we observe all their little to major developments. As they begin playing in the playground or making new friends, it becomes clear if your child is on the more social end or the quiet end of personalities. Even if you have one child who’s social and outgoing, you might notice your other child struggling with making or keeping friends. Maybe they tend to hold back in social situations, are unsure what to say and how to act, or even keep conversations going. 

The thing is, social skills aren’t something that comes naturally to all kids. The same way you might have a child who struggles with math while the other strives in numeracy comprehension, having difficulties in different domains is completely normal. And in the same way you get your child a tutor to overcome these difficulties, it’s important to prioritize social skill struggles as well. One way children are able to develop these skills are in social skill groups. 

What are Social Skills Groups?

Social skills groups are a safe space for kids to learn, experiment, and develop socially, all at their own pace. At their core, they're small guided group sessions where children can practice interactions while being surrounded by support and encouragement. These sessions are led by trained professionals, like counsellors, and include a handful of children who also struggle with similar issues. 

Instead of these sessions feeling like a classroom, they're interactive and engaging, involving games, practice conversations, acting out, and learning how to handle tricky situations. This setting allows kids to practice interactions and gain feedback on how to handle different situations. Although teaching a child about manners and social skills can be helpful, putting them in a “real world” environment provides the perfect learning opportunity. 

Benefits of Social Skills Groups

Children benefit from these groups for different reasons, but the main reason is they learn together and from one another. Every child develops differently, and for some, social situations can be found the most difficult. That might look like not knowing how to join a conversation or how to include yourself. It could look like not knowing how to read body language or tone of voice, or maybe struggling with feeling anxious or frustrated when things are unexpected. 

Regardless, there is nothing “wrong” with a child for struggling in this domain, and these issues are much more common than you think. That’s why having a shared space for kids to practice these skills with guidance is so helpful. These children are put in a low pressure environment to try out new skills they have learned. They don’t have to worry about getting it perfect or being judged, because mistakes are expected and even encouraged as parts of learning!

Group settings where children get to try out conversations in real time, see how others respond, and get gentle guidance when something goes unplanned teaches a child far better than a simple explanation ever could. A large part of social interactions is picking up on things that aren’t said out loud, like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. 

Social skills groups often aid with this multifaceted skill, teaching children how to notice how others are feeling, recognize when it’s their turn to speak, and adjust their behaviour based on the situation. Social cues are a key part of social development because, although they are subtle, they make a large difference. The truth is, no matter how many “rules” you may be able to teach, social interactions are unpredictable, and the only thing that reflects these inconsistent scenarios are the actual scenarios themselves!

As these groups are not a one-time session—rather, they're consistent, weekly appointments—kids slowly build a social skills toolbox as they develop more skills. When children begin experiencing small social successes, like joining a game or having a short conversation, it makes a big difference on how children see themselves. Over time, they build confidence, creating more willingness to engage with others and less anxiety in social situations as these struggles begin to feel defeatable!

Forming Friendships for Life

Another benefit of these consistent sessions is that familiarity and comfortability grow within the group as time goes on. As we know, making friends isn't always straightforward for these kids, so having a setting where they repeatedly see the same group, allows kids to practice making longer connections. They experiment with conversation starters, turn taking, handling disagreements, and maintaining interactions with one another. 

Later, as they feel more connected to the group, more emotions tend to rise, where even greater learning opportunities present themselves. As children feel big feelings like excitement or frustration, they’re able to learn how to cope, respond, and problem solve their emotional regulation and social surroundings.

When it comes to actual session structure, each group will look different but typically involve a mix of structure and play. For example, a session might involve a short discussion about a specific topic, for the purpose of turn taking. It could also include games where that skill is practiced, to see if children can apply it correctly. With that being said, counsellors would observe these interactions and give feedback when needed. Although sessions look very different, they always maintain the overall goal of keeping things engaging while building meaningful skills.

Let's Help Kids Get This Opportunity!

Overall, social skill groups are extremely beneficial for a variety of kids. It could benefit someone struggling to make or maintain friends, as well as a child who feels shy around their peers. It could benefit children struggling to communicate or understand social situations or even a child who prefers to play alone. Every child's needs look different, however a social skills group is able to provide all kinds of support for all kinds of kids.

Social skills aren’t only something needed in childhood, but also they're something that plays a heavy role in many areas of life. Strong social skills can support positive relationships, emotional well-being, and academic and career success. So, helping your child early not only gives them the tools to succeed now, but also for years to come. 

At the end of the day, social skills are just skills! They can be learned, taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. If your child struggles socially, don’t overthink it; many kids do! But with the right support and environment, your child can grow more confident in their interactions and feel more connected to the people around them, so help them get that opportunity!