Social interaction skills are how we use verbal (language) and non-verbal communication.
They include:
- Listening and taking turns
- Using gesture and facial expression
- Understanding the body language and facial expressions of others
- Understanding use of touch, proximity and personal space
- Using language appropriate to the social context, e.g. the situation and who you are communicating with
- Conversation skills, e.g. knowing how to initiate, maintain and end a conversation, asking and answering questions
- Friendship skills
- Being able to recognise emotions in yourself and others and managing and expressing emotions.
- Using voice to communicate different meanings according to its tone, intonation and volume, e.g. sarcasm.
Play is important for developing early social interaction skills including sharing, turn-taking and being aware of others.
Useful websites:
Visual timetables and schedules – https://do2learn.com/picturecards/VisualSchedules/index.htm
Social Skills Toolbox – https://do2learn.com/organizationtools/SocialSkillsToolbox/index.htm
Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/communication/communication-tools/social-stories-and-comic-strip-coversations
- https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/what-is-it/
Twinkl (some free content as well as a paid subscription) – https://www.twinkl.co.uk/
Links to resources and activities:
Social Interaction in the Playground
Social Skills Games for Younger Children
Social Skills Activities for Older Children