Managing social situations can be overwhelming for a child. If your child finds social interactions difficult, the Macquarie University Psychology Clinic’s Social Skills program may help.

Designed for primary-aged children in Years 3-5 , and their parents or carers, the program involves two components:

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Child Program

Designed to develop children’s social skills, their capacity to deal with challenging interpersonal interactions, and their ability to manage big emotions.

Topics include:

• Getting to know people
• Understanding and communicating feelings
• Solving social problems
• Assertive, co-operative and friendly behaviours
• Dealing with teasing and bullying

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Parenting Program

With sessions running concurrently to the Child Program, this program provide parents with strategies for improving their child’s social skills, as well as additional information on child behaviour management and parenting skills.

Topics include:

• Goal setting
• Understanding and observing child behaviour
• Reinforcing the positives
• Active listening
• Helping children with social problem solving
• Behaviour management
• Helping children deal with teasing and bullying

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The Term 1 program for 2020 will commence on 4 February and runs every Tuesday from 4.15pm and 5.30pm through the ten-week school term. Sessions are held in the Macquarie University Psychology Clinic, located in the Australian Hearing Hub.

Places are limited, with sizes kept to around six children per group.

The total cost for the Child and Parent components is $300 (non-refundable $50 payable at initial assessment, the remaining $250 payable before the first night of the group).

For more information on the program, see ‘Group Programs’ on the clinic’s webpage. To make an appointment for an initial assessment, email the clinic or phone 9850 8000.