Would your Child Benefit from a Social Skills Group?

social skills groups for children in Chicago IL

The goal of the social skills group at Oak Tree is for children to gain skills in social interaction in order to successfully participate in everyday social situations at school, extracurricular activities, and at home.  Skills learned throughout the group can be generalized to all social situations;  a necessary foundation to making and maintaining rewarding friendships. 

Our groups are tailored to each child’s individual needs and provide built-in learning time, while also allowing time for peer interaction. Social skills will be practiced within a positive environment. Group leaders can use this time to coach children in “real life” interactions and promote successful social interactions.  This increases one's self-esteem and provides the confidence to try new social behaviors with peers outside the group.

 Some of the topics taught and experienced during social skills group therapy include:

  • Understanding other people’s body language such as facial expressions 

  • Understanding emotions and expressing emotions

  • Initiating interactions such as play and conversations 

  • Engaging in activities with others and in groups

  • Taking turns 

  • Gaining self-control

  • Coping strategies for challenging situations

  • Problem-solving

  • Coping with teasing and bullying

  • Accepting consequences 

  • Negotiating

  • Being flexible to different ideas and experiences

  • Ability to hold age-appropriate conversations with peers

Extensive research on the effects of social skills training on children with these challenges shows that social skills therapy programs are effective in improving children’s self-esteem and confidence across various environments. 

Children are paired based on their age group and individual goals.  All groups will maintain a small therapist-to-child ratio.  Each group meets one time a week for 2 hours. Groups run Monday through Thursday. 

If you are interested in learning more about our social skills group, please contact Kathleen at 312-642-4300 or Kathleen@oaktreekids.com, or please fill out this form and someone will contact you soon.