Intro

Below are several ideas of role playing social situations that your children can practise with you, their siblings, cousins, etc.

 

Remember, there will be times when your child will handle a situation well, however, things will not work out the way they hoped. It's important that you and your child are still proud of his/her good behaviour and the fact that he/she is trying to better his/her Social Skills.

Improving Social Skills is an on-going process.

It's important to keep trying as well as to learn from mistakes and victories.

 

Greetings

Scenario: Arriving/leaving school.

 

• Saying hello and goodbye

• Maintaining eye contact, confident posture and smiling

• When handshakes are appropriate and what kind of handshakes to do

• How to greet teachers

• How to greet other staff at school

 

Giving someone a compliment

Scenario: Hanging out with a new kid at school.

 

• Can you see anything that he/she has worked hard on or takes pride in?

• How can you make someone's day with just your words?

• You can also practise with your family, siblings, pets or other people you know

 

Working in a group

Scenario: You're doing group work in class, one of your group mates is difficult to work with.

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• Conflict resolution – “let’s look at the pros and cons of each idea”

• Making your point heard – “here’s why I think this will work” when disagreements arise 

• How to take turns

• Allowing others a chance to speak and explain their point of view

 

Joining a group of people

Scenario: There's a group of kids sitting on the grass at break. You want to join in with them.

 

• What to do if they have closed body language and they are whispering?

• What to do if they have inviting, relaxed body language and they are laughing?

• Be confident and ask if you can join and what they are talking about

• Ask “Hey, can I get your guys opinion on something…” and asking a question.

• How to act if they open up and welcome you into the group?

• How to act if they ignore you or box you out?

 

An afterschool activity

Scenario: You're rock climbing with kids you've never met before.

 

• How to introduce yourself

• What questions to ask or what can you say about the activity?

• What to do if you're shy or don't want to try something new in front of these people

 

A birthday party

Scenario: You've been invited to a kid in your class's party. You don't know him too well.

 

• When you arrive, the birthday boy is busy talking to other kids. How can you greet him?

• Everyone starts playing party games and it’s too loud and overwhelming for you. How can you calm down?

• The birthday boy opens his presents. What do you do if someone else has brought the same gift as you?

 

At a restaurant

Scenario: You and some friends are at restaurant

 

• Greeting the staff at the restaurant

• How would you order from a waiter

• How to act when the waiter brings the food

• How to react if the order is wrong

• Joining in a conversation without interrupting

• Table manners

• What to do if you finish eating before everyone else?

 

The family braai

Scenario: You and your parents are at a braai with family from overseas 

 

• A great-uncle you have never met before approaches. How can you introduce yourself?

• He asks how school is going. How do you talk about your classes and afterschool activities?

• You want to play with your cousin's video games. How can you ask? What will you do if they say no?