Child Social Skills Post-Pandemic

As a child therapist, I work with children of all ages who have a range of support needs. One area that almost all of my clients benefit from is social skills development. Social skills are crucial and can be learned through various channels: direct teaching from parents, guidance from teachers, therapeutic interventions, and everyday social interactions or play.

The global pandemic, which began over four years ago, has had a profound impact on everyone, especially children. Many children missed crucial developmental milestones due to lockdowns, social distancing, and mask-wearing, which affected their ability to learn essential social skills. This disruption has made it even more important to provide children with opportunities to develop these skills now. We’re seeing an increased need for targeted support to help children navigate social interactions and build relationships.

In therapy, social skills are often addressed in a playroom setting, where children can learn and practice these skills with their individual therapist. Additionally, group therapy can also be particularly effective. Group settings allow children to interact with peers who are experiencing similar challenges, facilitating shared learning and mutual support. Through group therapy, children can practice social skills in a natural, supportive environment, make new friends, and learn from each other. Incorporating play and engaging activities into these sessions makes the learning process more enjoyable and memorable.

If you think your child could benefit from additional support in developing social skills, Wasatch Family Therapy is starting a new social skills group next month. For more information or to discuss whether individual or group therapy might be right for your child, please don’t hesitate to reach out.