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How Social-Emotional Learning Groups Build Confidence and Communication Skills
As pediatric occupational therapists, we’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of social-emotional learning (SEL) groups. These structured group sessions provide children with a safe space to develop crucial life skills that extend far beyond the therapy room. Occupational therapy is all about evidence-based strategies to promote the skills of everyday living – and ample research shows that social-emotional groups help build confidence and communication skills in children of all abilities.
The Foundation of Social-Emotional Learning
Social-emotional learning encompasses the processes through which children and adults develop fundamental skills for life effectiveness. These include recognizing emotions, setting positive goals, making responsible decisions, and establishing positive relationships. For children with developmental differences, these skills often require more explicit instruction and practice than their typically developing peers might need.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to support SEL due to our expertise in analyzing the interaction between a person’s abilities and their environment. Social-emotional competence is essential for participation in daily activities, academic success, and long-term wellbeing.
At Therapy and Wellness Connection, our Brecksville occupational therapists host a number of social skills groups – including social skills for teens.
The Power of Group Learning
While individual therapy sessions are valuable, group settings offer distinct advantages. A recent systematic review published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found that group interventions targeting social skills showed significant improvements in children’s social participation and peer interactions.
In our clinic’s SEL groups, we create microcosms of real-world social scenarios where children can:
- Practice skills in real-time with peers
- Receive immediate feedback in a supportive environment
- Observe and learn from others’ successes and challenges
- Develop a sense of belonging and community
Building Confidence Through Structured Support
Many children who struggle with social-emotional skills have experienced rejection or exclusion from peers. These experiences can damage self-esteem and create anxiety around social interactions. Our Brecksville social skills groups address this by creating graduated challenges within a supportive framework.
Research shows that children build confidence through mastery experiences—successfully navigating challenges just slightly beyond their current abilities. In our groups, we carefully structure activities to ensure each child experiences success while gradually increasing complexity.
For example, we might begin with simple turn-taking games and progress to more complex cooperative activities. A child who initially struggles to wait their turn might, after several sessions, proudly report using this skill at school. These small victories build internal confidence that generalizes to other settings.
Communication Skills: The Building Blocks of Connection
Communication difficulties are common among children referred for therapy services. TWC social groups address these challenges through evidence-based approaches that target both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
According to research published in the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, multimodal interventions that combine visual supports, social stories, and peer modeling significantly improve communication outcomes for children with developmental differences.
In our social skills groups, children learn to:
- Recognize and interpret facial expressions and body language
- Take conversational turns
- Ask relevant questions
- Express needs and emotions appropriately
- Listen actively to others
One particularly effective technique is “social thinking” methodology, which helps children understand the “why” behind social conventions. Rather than memorizing rules, children learn to consider others’ perspectives and adjust their communication accordingly.
The Ripple Effect on Daily Life
Perhaps most importantly, the skills children develop in SEL groups create a ripple effect across all areas of life. A longitudinal study published in Child Development demonstrated that strong social-emotional skills in childhood predict better academic performance, healthier relationships, improved mental health, and even greater career success into adulthood.
Parents frequently report improvements in their child’s:
- Willingness to try new activities
- Ability to resolve conflicts with siblings
- Participation in family conversations
- Emotional regulation during challenging situations
- Independence in daily routines
Supporting Your Child’s Journey
As a parent, you play a crucial role in reinforcing the skills your child learns in social skills groups. Ask your child’s therapist about current goals and strategies being used in the group. Look for opportunities to practice these skills at home and celebrate your child’s progress, no matter how small it may seem.
Remember that social-emotional development, like all aspects of growth, follows a unique trajectory for each child. Trust the process and maintain open communication with your therapy team.
Through the structured support of our Brecksville social emotional learning groups, combined with your encouragement at home, your child can develop the confidence and communication skills needed to navigate their world with greater ease and joy.
For more information about pediatric occupational therapy in Cleveland Contact Us Online or call our office (330) 748-4807. Our educational services and multidisciplinary therapy are available in Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Cleveland, Akron and surrounding communities.
Additional Resources:
Efficacy of group social skills interventions for youth with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 2017, Clinical Psychology Review
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