Topic 11

Topic 11

Holly Tetreault

Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Social Skills

Operational Definition

Social skills are skills that are taught explicitly during school to promote social acceptance and awareness. The skills are taught based on a student’s need for improvements in behavior regarding social issues. There are various definitions available through various websites. All seem to agree though that the outcome of teaching social skills is for students to have positive interactions with their peers.

How are social skills taught?

Social skills are taught in school throughout the day. In an elementary setting the skills may be taught by a general education teacher, special education teacher, or social worker. In the secondary level the skills may be taught by various content general education teachers, special education teachers, social worker, or school counselor. Skills are taught through lessons that introduce, model, and allow for student practice of the skill. Skills are reinforced throughout the day with positive reinforcements. For example, the lesson may be taught during a 30 minute lesson in the general education classroom daily. This may be incorporated into a morning meeting or during any additional time. If the lesson were on a social skill such as “honesty” the teacher will reinforce this skill by giving positive attention to students who exemplify this skill. A student may give another student back something that was on the floor, this simple action would model being honest.

Is there curriculum available?

According to the Kansas Institute for Positive Behavior Supports some common curriculums include:

• First Steps to Success
• Second Step Violence Prevention
• The Walker Social Skills Curriculum: The Accepts Program

In USD 500, Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, we utilize the Second Step program. The program comes with lessons already created with a script for teachers to read from. There are large picture cards that display students with varying emotions. Students discuss the card and role play activities to model appropriate behaviors.

The program is actually a very good program however it is not utilized as it should be. In many schools due to the time constraints teachers end up cutting second step from the daily schedule. Classes often only use Second Step for 15-30 minutes one day a week. In the secondary schools Second step is used as program for students with frequent suspensions instead of as a preventive school.

How else can social skills help my kids?

Social skills can be used to create replacement behaviors for students. The skills taught can be used in a BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) as a replacement behavior. For example, in a Kindergarten classroom we had a student who had not attended preschool or day care prior to kindergarten. When he needed something he would shout out. He didn’t understand how to appropriately get attention. The kindergarten teacher and I incorporated a few mini lessons on raising your hand into the morning curriculum. Through out the day she positively praised students for raising their hand, particularly this student. Though at the time we were in the process of an FBA and working on a behavior plan for other behavioral concerns, this was a way we addressed an issue by replacing the behavior of yelling with hand raising.

Where can I learn more?

Here are websites you can view for additional information.

• Model Me Kids: Social Skills Curriculum
• Getting to Know You!: A Social Skills Curriculum
• Dr. Mac: Classroom Behavior Management