Materials:

 Introduction

Many children lack the social skills to initiate or join others in play. They may say or do the wrong thing, or not know how to respond if they are rejected. Practicing these skills can help prepare the child for what to do ahead of time, when emotions are less likely to over rule thinking.

  Objective/Purpose

The child will practice responding to difficult social situations with peers.

 Procedure:

1. Talk to children about how difficult times they may have encountered when trying to play with someone, or something in the room only to be rejected and not allowed to do what they wanted to do. Use real examples. Here are some suggestions:

• Several children are laying on the playground and a boy would like to join in and play with them but does not know what to say. Let children problem solve what to say ("Can I play too?") or explain that sometimes all the boy needs to do is to join in on the play without asking.

• Two children are playing in the block area and a girl comes up to ask if she can play too but the two children quickly yell out, "No!" Problem solve what the girl can do about this (e.g., find someone else to play with, ask for assistance from the teacher, etc.)

• Three children are riding tricycles and a boy wants to ride with them but there are no more tricycles available. Let the children problem solve what he can do (e.g., ask the children if he can have a turn next, wait until one of the tricycles are free). Also talk about what to do if the three children do not give him a turn.

  Practice & Extended Activities:

This lesson could be followed up with an additional lesson when actual scenarios are set up and children practice playing the differing roles.