Smart Socials

1       Description
 

Smart Social is designed for children in late preschool to early elementary (approx. ages 4–6+) who are developing more advanced verbal and social reasoning skills. This summer-themed group focuses not only on foundational social skills but on helping children use language more intentionally to build connections, solve problems, and engage meaningfully with peers.

 

In this group, we move beyond basic participation toward thoughtful, verbal social interaction and flexible social thinking.

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Children will:

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• identify and express their intentions in social situations (e.g., “I want to join,” “I want to help,” “I need a turn”)

• explore why we listen, wait, negotiate, or help others

• practice using more advanced language to respond to peers’ actions, emotions, and boundaries

• build confidence initiating, maintaining, and adapting play with others

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Through summer-themed activities, children experience:
“I can share my idea,” “I can solve this,” “I can connect with others.”

 

We use puppet storytelling, video modeling, structured role-play, and interactive play to support both language development and social engagement.

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Routines

 

Each session is structured to promote independent thinking, communication, and peer interaction:

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​Arrival & Warm-Up
Children explore themed play stations (e.g., beach toys, summer picnic setups)
Prompt: “What is something you might try or say during play today?”

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Circle Time / Puppet Lesson

• Greeting peers and practicing conversational exchanges

• Weather discussion with drawing and descriptive language

• Puppet-based storytelling introducing a social theme

• Guided questions such as: “What could you say?” “What else can you try?”

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Movement Break
Summer-themed movement (e.g., “freeze dance,” “beach ball games”) to support regulation and peer engagement

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Group Play (Guided Practice)

• Shared materials (e.g., magnetic blocks, sensory bins)

• Focus on:

  • requesting with clear language

  • negotiating (“Can I use it after you?”)

  • accepting “no” and generating alternatives

• Reduced prompting to encourage independent verbal problem-solving

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Snack / Lunch & Social Time

• Practicing conversation during meals

• Cleaning up independently

• Engaging in short free-play while waiting

• Emphasis on polite requests and social awareness

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Group Activity (Skill Application)

• Activities connected to the daily theme (crafts, role-play, games)

• Children apply skills by:

  • answering questions

  • expressing ideas verbally

  • waiting and taking turns

  • requesting from peers and adults

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Goodbye Routine

• Independent transitions (shoes, belongings)

• Practicing functional language:

  • asking for help

  • saying goodbye appropriately

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Example Activities 

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Puppet Theatre (Problem Solving)
Children watch and respond to scenarios (e.g., “Someone took my toy”)
→ “What could you say?” “What are the different solutions?”

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Emotion Expression & Guessing Game
Children act out emotions and explain situations
→ Encourages both recognition and verbal explanation

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Personal Space Game (Advanced Language Focus)
Practice phrases like:

• “That’s too close for me.”

• “Can you give me some space?”

Emphasis on clarity and respectful communication

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Listening & Regulation Games
(e.g., Freeze Dance, Follow-the-Leader)
→ Builds attention, impulse control, and group awareness

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Summer Crafts (Emotion + Language Integration)
Create themed crafts (e.g., “feeling sun faces”)
→ Discuss:

• “When do you feel this way?”

• “What can you say when you feel this?”

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Collaborative Play Stations
Focus on social thinking and language:

• “How can I explain my idea?”

• “How can I join their play?”

• “What if they don’t agree?”

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These activities emphasize both skill use and intentional communication.

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2       Q&A

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Q: My child plays with others but doesn’t often initiate or use language to engage. Will this help?
A: Yes. Smart Social focuses on helping children use their words to take action—initiating, negotiating, and maintaining meaningful interactions with peers.

 

 

Q: My child is shy and hesitant to speak in groups.
A: That’s okay. We support each child at their own pace, encouraging small but meaningful verbal attempts, such as greeting, expressing preferences, or asking simple questions.

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Q: My child speaks well but struggles with social awareness.
A: This group directly targets that. We help children connect language with social understanding, such as recognizing cues, respecting boundaries, and responding appropriately.

 

 

Q: Who is this group best suited for?

Children who:

• are approx. 4–6+ years old

• are developing verbal communication skills and ready to use them socially

• can play with peers but needs support with interaction quality

• benefit from guidance in:

  • expressing ideas

  • asking for help

  • negotiating and problem-solving

  • understanding others’ perspectives

• are ready for a structured, play-based group setting that emphasizes both language and social thinking