Social Skills

1. For this activity you need to take it in turns. The first person says, “In my bag I packed a ball.” The second person then says, “In my bag I packed a ball and a doll. Then the first person continues the list, “In my bag I packed a ball, a doll and a car.
2. You continue taking turns until someone forgets an item!

• Use alternative phrases and contexts, such as:“I went to the zoo and I saw a …”“I went to the shop and I bought…”

• Draw pictures to help you remember.

1. Write the names of different emotions on a piece of paper.
2. Take turns picking a slip of paper and then acting out the picture showing the emotion. If your child prefers, you can draw the emotion in the space below, like in the game Pictionary.

• Happiness
• Sadness
• Anger
• Confusion
• Frustration
• Pride
• Worried
• Calm
• Relaxed
• Bored
• Jealous
• Scared
• Nervous
• Stuck
• Embarrassed
• Irritated

• Discuss how you would help your friend if they were feeling a negative emotion.
• What would you do if you were feeling a negative emotion?

1. Play a game with your child and one or two of their friends or other family members around the same age e.g. cousins.

2. Choose a board or table top game that the children enjoy. Please see below for suggestions and links to games and activities for specific ages.

3. Praise your child and their friends for good listening, waiting, turn taking and good sportsmanship (e.g. not getting cross if they aren’t winning).

4. Enjoy yourself!

Remember! You can always try the easier games listed for younger children if your child is struggling to participate successfully in age related games.

· Let the children take more control and take their turn independently.

· Select more difficult games.

· Play with more children.

· Let your child read the rules out to other participants and organise the game.

Be flexible with the rules of the game e.g. remove more challenging rules, allow time out.

· Select easier games.

· Play 1:1 with your child.

1. Choose an activity, such as cooking or building an object with Lego.

2. Ask your child to choose a role. They could be the ‘Engineer’ who has the equipment and gives the instructions or they could be the ‘Creator’ who follows the instructions. You take the other role.

3. If your child is the ‘Engineer’ they need to give clear verbal instructions and provide the correct equipment.

4. If your child is the ‘Creator’ they need to interpret the instructions and carry them out correctly.

5. If you come up against a problem, give your child time to consider the solution independently. Only offer suggestions if they are really stuck.

6. Swap roles with a different activity.

Remember! You can always try the easier games listed for younger children if your child is struggling to participate successfully in age related games.

· Choose more complex activities e.g. a Lego build for older children or follow a recipe with longer instructions and more ingredients.

· Get your child to complete the task with a sibling or cousin and minimal adult support.

Choose easier activities e.g. a Lego/Duplo build for younger children or follow a recipe with less instructions and ingredients.

· Choose a recipe with picture instructions.

· Give your child additional support with their role e.g. repeating instructions, helping them by guiding their hands.