How Social Skills Groups Help Kids Learn to Make Friends
What actually happens in a social skills group? It's one of the most common questions people ask when they contact us about social skills, and it makes sense. If you're considering a group for your child, you want to know what that looks like, what they'll be doing, and if it will actually help.
I’m Veronica with Metro Therapy, and today I’m going to walk through what social skills groups look like, what kids do during sessions, and how these groups help children build confidence in social situations.
What Is a Social Skills Group?
A social skills group is a place where kids learn, practice, and build confidence in social situations in a supported and structured environment.
When children arrive at our social skills groups, they’re welcomed into a small group of peers who are working on similar skills. Right away, we begin building comfort and connection because things go much better when kids feel safe and ready to learn.
Social Skills Groups Begin with Structured Routines
Our sessions always begin with structured routines so kids know what to expect. We start with a check-in where, usually, we'll ask the kids to share:
Their favorite movie
A game or sport they enjoy
Their favorite dessert
These conversations help children find common ground. It helps build connection, conversation, and encourages their self-expression.
We Teach Specific Social Skills
Next, we'll introduce the target skill for the day. It could be something related to:
Starting a conversation
Joining a group
Turn-taking
Understanding nonverbal body language
Managing frustration
Losing a game appropriately
Our summer social skills groups focus on very specific goals and skills, which families can find on our social media accounts. These skills are explained in a simple and clear way. We often use visuals, modeling, short demonstrations, and role play to help children understand the skill before practicing it.
Hands-On Practice Helps Kids Build Confidence
The majority of the groups are focused on hands-on practice. Children participate in games, role-playing activities, and team challenges. These activities are carefully designed to create natural opportunities for social interaction.
And here's where the real growth happens, because children are practicing these in the moment with support and feedback from therapists.
How Speech and Occupational Therapy Work Together in Social Skills Groups
Our groups are led by both a speech therapist and an occupational therapist. The speech therapist will focus on: communication, helping kids know what to say and how to say it, supporting conversation flow and understanding others.
The occupational therapist supports: regulation and behavior, helping kids manage emotions, building flexibility, and staying engaged and organized during those social interactions.
We Turn Social Challenges into Learning Opportunities
Together, our therapists guide children through challenges, celebrating successes and gently coaching when things don't go quite as planned. Because let's be honest, social situations don't always go perfectly, and that's just part of learning.
If the child gets frustrated, struggles to take turns or has a meltdown with a peer, those moments become teachable opportunities. We help them pause and reflect, problem solve, and try again with additional support. And over time, that's how they will build confidence.
Helping Kids Use Social Skills Outside of Therapy
At the end of each session, we typically write up a review or a reflection. We help kids talk and learn more about what using these skills will look like outside of the group, whether it be at school, at home, or with their group of friends. Because the goal isn't just success in the group, it is helping kids carry these skills over to life.
After their kids attend our social skills groups, parents often tell us they notice:
More confidence in social situations
Improved communication
Better ability to handle challenges with peers
Increased willingness to connect with others
Social Skills Groups Help Kids Learn and Grow
Social skills groups are structured but fun. They are guided, but interactive. Most importantly, they give children a safe place to learn, practice, and grow the skills they need to build meaningful relationships.
Metro Therapy’s summer social skills groups kick off June 15th. If you’re curious about whether social skills groups could be the right support for your child, reach out to Metro Therapy on social media or call the office for more information.
