How Can Your Child Practice Social Skills at Home?
If your child would benefit from continued social skills practice during this time at home, there are a variety of different activities that can be used to target social skills virtually via platforms such as Facetime, Skype, or Zoom. Many children who are currently working to improve their social skills require cues and reminders for appropriate body language, eye contact, and topic maintenance. It is okay to focus on one skill at a time, as not to overwhelm your little one!
A variety of social skills can be practiced virtually during:
Asking WH questions (i.e., who, what, where, and when) while interviewing a friend or family member
Playing a virtual game
Playing a board game that both children have in the home
“Show and tell” using favorite toys or items from around the house
Practicing turn taking while picking a song and having a virtual dance party
Reading a book together and answering questions
Playing Simon Says to practice listening skills and turn taking
Having virtual snack time together
How can caregivers guide the child?
Encouraged the child to look toward the speaker via the virtual platform
Encourage active listening and attention to the speaker
Practice manners
Minimize interruptions
Cue the child to wait their turn
Follow directions during virtual activities
Practice giving compliments
Encourage conversational turn taking
You can guide your child by practicing leading questions related to the activities. For Example:
What did you do today?
Do you have any pets?
What games do you like to play?
What is your favorite toy?
What are your other favorites? (i.e., food, color, song)
These activities can be beneficial for kids of all different ages, HAVE FUN!
Alyssa Bloxam, M.A., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
alyssa@collaborativecorner.org