For More Information:

Janina Nadaner, MFT; JaninaN@jfcs.org; 415-359-2446

Social Skills Groups

For Children Ages 4 ½ – 8

At Parents Place, we recognize that growing up can be a challenge. Children learn about themselves through the relationships they establish: at school, on a sports team, with teachers and other adult figures, and with their parents, siblings, and other family members. Difficulties in establishing these friendships can affect all aspects of a child's life, from schoolwork to self-esteem.

To support your children as they develop important skills that they will carry with them as they move forward in life, we are offering socialization skills groups for children in two age groups: 4 ½ - 6 years and 6 ½ - 8 years. Our groups focus on strengthening age-appropriate social interaction, conflict resolution, and making and keeping friends. A commitment to six consecutive sessions is required. All groups are facilitated by licensed or license-eligible members of Parents Place’s clinical staff.

For more than 20 years, our Socialization Skills Groups have provided an opportunity for children to have a positive experience with other children over a period of time. Children are encouraged to play together and to create a safe, fun environment in which everyone is able to express how he or she feels. The counselors' role in these groups is to structure an environment in which the children feel comfortable expressing themselves. Once the group is established, the counselors can identify conflicts that arise in the group and facilitate a resolution with which all the children can agree.

Change, like all growth, is an interactive process. Parents and teachers are critically important partners  in supporting children's growth and change. The Socialization Skills Group model includes collaboration with these allies in the children's growing process and includes individual parent meetings and parent group workshops.