Teaching Social Skills in Physical Education

1. Teaching Social Skills in Physical Education Melissa Alexander, Ph.D. Montclair State University

2. Examples • Stephanie • David • Kristen

3. Poor Social Skill Development • Not just autism! • People with cognitive impairment, learning disabilities, and other disabilities

4. Why Poor Social Skill Development? • Difficulties learning through observation • Lack of experience • Negative experiences in the past • Do not know/understand what is socially acceptable

5. Why do they need social skills? • Inadequate social skills is main reason for rejection from non-disabled peers • Individuals with poor social skills are at much higher risk for: • Difficulties in school • Unemployment • Depression and other mental health issues • Problems in the community

6. Why do it in PE? • Natural social interactions occurring all the time • Safe, structured, and fun environment • Doesn’t need to interfere with instruction

7. My kids with autism don’t want to be social! • Many want to be social but don’t know how • Don’t like the uncertainty • Don’t assume they don’t want to just because they are aloof! • Do recommend waiting till 12+ years to incorporate • Can do much earlier depending on the person

8. How to Incorporate Social Skill Development • Naturally Occurring Conversations • Planned Skill Development

9. Naturally Occurring Conversations • Encourage natural social interactions during already established routine • Example: talk while stretching • In order to work, need to provide instruction and feedback to target student • Consider peer teachers

10. Planned Skill Development • Incorporate activity that targets the specific social skill • Example: Get to know me freeze tag • Example: Dribbling bingo • In order to work • Must remind students of skill to focus on • Provide instruction • Provide feedback

11. Ideas for Contributing Relevant Information Warm-up • While stretching students talk about weekend plans Drills • Talk while waiting in line for their turn • While practicing passing, have students talk about designated topic Game Play • Have students pick team name Cool Down Stretch • Have group discussion

12. Your turn! • Identify what sport • Identify what social skill(s) you want to focus on • Create a lesson plan that includes at least 3 naturally occurring conversation activities and 2 planned conversation activities **Be prepared to share!**

13. Questions or Thoughts?