Social Skills Training for Children

Children are confronted with numerous challenging interpersonal situations such as asking adults for help, refusing the requests of others, coping with their own feelings and those of others, giving and receiving compliments, making friends, coping with criticism, and managing stress. Children who are socially skilled are more likely to be well adjusted in many areas of their lives.

Social competence consists of many skills focused on thinking, feeling, and acting effectively, that children can learn to use. The Assertive Communication Training (ACT) is based on social-learning theory, and has been tested in school classrooms.  The ACT Game uses a simulation game to enhance enjoyment and generalization. This, in turn, helps children to integrate their thinking, feeling, and acting in problem situations.

The program is made up of several basic components:
•    Identifying, labeling, and controlling feelings.
•    Solving problems
•    Practicing socially appropriate behaviors
•    Talking to oneself in a coping manner

The ACT game consists of 6 classes:
•    Defining “passive”, “assertive,” and “aggressive”
•    Learning about controlling feelings
•    Giving and receiving strokes
•    Making friends
•    The Big Switch: making positive events
•    Strategy learning with new problems

Effectiveness of the ACT Game
4th and 5th grade classrooms after 1 year (Rotheram, Armstrong, & Booraem, 1982):
•    Increased assertiveness
•    Higher GPAs
•    Teachers reported better comportment, higher achievement, increased popularity

Click here to see the Complete ACT Game Manual

AGES 8-10, TUESDAYS 4:00-5:15 pm
Date: May 8th - June 5th
Instructor: Rebecca Eberlin
Cost: $350/child
REGISTER

AGES 5-7, THURSDAYS 4:00-5:15 pm
Date: May 10th - June 7th
 Instructor: Rebecca Eberlin
Cost: $350/child
REGISTER

Please call (310) 395-5650 with any questions or concerns.