Social skills training (SST) is a structured approach to teaching children the “hidden curriculum” of social interaction. This involves the Theory of Mind—the neurological ability to understand that other people have thoughts and feelings different from one’s own. For many children, especially those in the multicultural environment of Dubai and Sharjah schools, these cues (like tone of voice, sarcasm, or personal space) aren’t picked up intuitively and must be explicitly taught.
In our SST sessions, we use Social Scripts and Video Modeling to deconstruct social encounters. We help children “read the room” by identifying the “Social Detective” clues in their peers’ body language. By practicing these skills in a safe, clinical environment, children develop the executive function needed to inhibit impulsive social responses and instead use prosocial behaviors, leading to smoother transitions into new classrooms or playgroups.
The “Social Detective” Game
While people-watching at City Centre Deira or a local Al Nahda park, play “Social Detective.” Pick a group (from a distance) and ask your child, “What do you think they are feeling? How do you know?” Look for clues like “He is smiling, so he is happy,” or “She is looking away, so she might be bored.” This builds the observational muscles needed for real-world peer adjustment.
Specialist FAQ
- My child is “bossy” with peers. Can SST help? “Bossiness” is often a lack of understanding of social reciprocity. We teach the “Flexible Thinking” needed to negotiate and compromise.
- What age should we start social skills training? As soon as you notice difficulty in “serve and return” play. Early training (ages 4-7) is highly effective for setting a positive social trajectory.
- Will this help with bullying? SST provides children with the “social tools” to assert themselves, set boundaries, and understand when a social situation is unhealthy.
Navigating the social world is a complex journey; don’t let your child walk it alone. For more information on our social skills groups, call 0507548629 or visit Neurobloom Rehabilitation Centre, Al Nahda 2, Dubai.
