Social Skills Tips
To help increase positive interaction between children, it is helpful to develop and increase in behavior such as eye contact and initiation, increase their ability to look to others for assistance, and increase their ability to engage in reciprocal play with others. The following are ideas to assist in development of interactive skills:
1. Involve the child in turn taking activities that require shared space and materials. Provide structure and support to help the child remain engaged and wait his or her turn. Use familiar, short songs or counting activities in a predictable way.
2. Encourage the child to join a peer who is using a favorite toy. Model and parallel talk appropriate ways for the child to join his peer (i.e. “First peer’s turn, then child’s turn”, or engage the child in a two person activity like building a marble works tower together). Use pictures to identify the play sequence or incorporate “your turn” “my turn” cards.
3. Observe child’s cues for stress and over-stimulation. Help the child use coping strategies to remain involved in the interaction or reengage after a brief break.
4. Incorporate motor component (i.e. rocking chair, ball, t-stool, or swing) to maintain interest and attention.
5. Use sensory materials such as balloons and bubbles to increase eye contact, following, and vocalization with the adult.
6. Engage the child in activities that are motivating for the child and involve proximity and contact with the adults (i.e. tickling, rocking on feet, gross motor activities).
