The Importance of Social Skills Training
By Dr. Steven Tobias

Banyan School recognizes the need to educate the "whole" child. What this means is that children's social and emotional development is just as important as academic skills. While reading, writing, and math skills prepare children to compete in the workplace, the ability to get along with others, deal effectively with feelings, set goals and solve problems enable individuals to experience success in all areas of life.

The Social Skills program at Banyan School provides instruction, practice and the reinforcement of social skills for all students. Some students, in addition to their learning problems, have weaknesses in social skills that need to be addressed. Other students have definite strengths in social skills but these students also benefit from the program by further developing their skills. Banyan School believes that addressing social skills with all our students helps them to attain the maturity, responsibility and self-confidence that will enable them to maximize their academic abilities and social relationships that will lead to a lifetime of personal fulfillment.

• Building relationships within the classroom and school community
• Increasing student of awareness of feelings in self and others
• Developing skills to effectively cope with feelings and express those feelings appropriately
• Encouraging students to establish personal and educational goals
• Providing strategies for effective problem solving
• Promoting the use of positive communication when interacting with others

All students participate in a formal social skills lesson once a week. The Banyan School Social Skills Program is based on the book, Social Problem Solving: Interventions in the Schools, coauthored by Dr. Steven Tobias. Dr. Tobias conducts the weekly social skills lesson and is assisted by the classroom teacher. A typical class begins with a "Sharing Circle" that promotes effective communication, listening, and empathy skills. Following this activity, specific skills are taught and practiced such as feelings identification, goal setting, and planning. The social skills program is also integrated throughout the school day. Staff members have received intensive social skills instruction and are able to consistently reinforce positive social skill behavior. They are also available to help students navigate challenging situations when they need to put into practice the skills they have been taught.

Effective social skill development is key to the success of the learning disabled child. The Social Skills Program at Banyan School provides students with the strategies necessary to insure a productive and successful future.

• No Parent Left Behind Conference (Click For Schdeule List)