Helping Kids Connect: How Social Skills Groups Support Growth and Confidence

Helping Kids Connect: How Social Skills Groups Support Growth and Confidence

Childhood is a foundational period for social and emotional growth. Between the ages of 8 and 12, children navigate a complex world of shifting friendships, academic pressures, and evolving self-identities. While some children pick up social nuances naturally, others may find these interactions overwhelming or confusing.

At Therapeutic Self Care in Galloway, New Jersey, we understand that social confidence is not just about being outgoing. It is a set of skills that must be learned, practiced, and mastered. We are excited to announce our new Social Skills Group for children ages 8-12, designed to provide your child with the tools that they need to thrive.

What are Social Skills Groups?

Unlike individual therapy, social skills groups provide a “living laboratory” for individuals to learn and practice skills in real time. These groups are therapist-led sessions that are designed to help children practice communication, emotional awareness, and interpersonal skills in a safe and supportive setting. Group therapy sessions offer real-time engagement that simply cannot be replicated in a one-on-one setting.

In these groups, children practice essential life skills such as turn-taking, active listening, and conflict resolution in a safe, supportive environment. Between the ages of 8 and 12, peer relationships begin to take center stage. These sessions are vital for helping children who may be feeling left behind and struggle to interact socially with their peers.

The Key Benefits of Group Support

1. Building Healthy Communication: One of the primary goals of social skills groups is to help children express their thoughts and needs respectfully and effectively. Through role-playing, interactive games, and guided discussions, we focus on:

• Initiating and maintaining conversations.

• Reading non-verbal social cues.

• Responding empathetically to others.

Research suggests that structured interventions are most effective when practiced in real-world contexts (Gresham et al., 2001). By interacting with peers, children receive immediate feedback, helping them “generalize” these skills so they can use them at school and home.

2. Increasing Emotional Awareness and Regulation: Many children struggle with big feelings such as anxiety and frustration, which can lead to social withdrawal or outbursts. Group therapy helps normalize these experiences. When children observe their peers navigating similar struggles, it reduces their feelings of isolation (AACAP, 2023). Teaching children how to identify their emotions early and use tools to stay calm is fundamental to their development, and it gives them tools to regulate their emotions.

3. Cultivating Confidence and Self-Esteem: Confidence grows through successful experiences. As children practice new skills and receive positive reinforcement from both the therapist and their peers, this builds self-confidence. Studies show that children who feel socially competent are more likely to participate in class and approach new situations with resilience (Denham et al., 2012).

Why Group Therapy Works

The magic of group therapy lies in the peer connections that it fosters. Children do not just learn from the clinician present; they learn with each other by interacting. This shared experience provides a sense of belonging and reinforces the idea that they are not alone in their struggles.

If your child is ready to build stronger friendships and a more confident sense of self, Therapeutic Self Care is now accepting registrations for our Children’s Social Skills Group in Galloway, New Jersey. Enroll now to give your child the essential tools they need for a brighter, more connected future.

If group therapy doesn’t feel like the right fit for your child, that’s completely okay. We also offer traditional one-on-one sessions tailored to your individual needs, as well as couples therapy for parents or partners seeking additional support. Whether you’re exploring group therapy or looking for counselors near you who provide individualized care, we’re here to help you find the therapist that is right for you.

Works Cited

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (2023). Group therapy. https://www.aacap.org

Denham, S. A., Bassett, H. H., & Wyatt, T. (2012). The socialization of emotional competence. Handbook of Social and Emotional Learning. Guilford Press.

Gresham, F. M., Sugai, G., & Horner, R. (2001). Interpreting outcomes of social skills training for students with high-incidence disabilities. Exceptional Children, 67(3), 331–344.