Supporting Social Skills Development in Preschool
Parents are keen to see their child’s social skills emerge at the playground, during play dates, and in preschool. However, the preschool environment can be more challenging for children. Learning social skills with a therapist does not automatically ensure that a child can socialize more effectively in preschool. So, how do we support children in their Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) sessions? How do we teach them to interact with peers and make friends at preschool? This is where ESDM social skills groups become an essential part of a child’s program.
What is an ESDM Social Skills Group?
ESDM social skills groups provide a bridge for social skills development. Each child develops social skills in a smaller, more supported group environment. There are up to four children in each group, with Certified ESDM Therapists supporting each child. The children use the skills they learn in their individual sessions and then start to generalize them to the small group situation. Once a child has generalized social skills to the small group environment, we can support them to use these skills in the preschool setting.
Small ESDM groups consist of 4 children with 2 therapists.
How Do You Monitor a Child’s Progress?
Generalizing skills to other people and environments is a key part of the Early Start Denver Model. This is one of the unique components of the ESDM. We always strive to work with parents and preschools to ensure that skills are mastered in the children’s natural environments. Every school holiday break, we conduct a quarterly review of every child’s program. In the quarterly review, we analyze the child’s progress and update the program. We get feedback from parents about progress at home and try to visit the preschool or daycare before the review. This ensures we have a comprehensive understanding of whether the child’s skills are being used independently in these settings.
What Happens After the Social Skills Group?
Children can join our intensive ESDM program, which runs for 3 hours each morning. This group includes 9 children and 3 therapists, allowing us to target social skills in larger group activities and through a variety of tasks.
How Can I Enroll My Child in ESDM Social Skills Groups?
OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is located in Bondi Junction and Mascot in Sydney. Our team of therapists is trained at the highest levels of fidelity to improve children’s lives. If you want to find out more about the ESDM, call our clinic at (02) 8065 7837 or email us.
We’re Here to Support You
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive. Our clinics are not just spaces for therapy – they are places where children can discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential. By combining innovative therapy techniques with a stimulating and supportive environment, we offer a holistic approach to pediatric therapy and early intervention that addresses the unique needs of each child we support.
Reach Out for Support
If you’re concerned about your child’s social skills development or want to learn more about how ESDM and our social skills groups can help your child, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is here to help. Reach out to us today and take the first step toward enhancing your child’s social skills and overall development.
We are a dedicated team of Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Certified ESDM Therapists, and Psychologists, serving families across Sydney. We have clinic in Bondi Junction and Mascot, Sydney’s Eastern suburbs. Our clinics are tailored to provide exceptional intervention for children with autism, developmental delays, disabilities, and learning difficulties, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support.
