From Playground to Classroom: Helping Kids Navigate Social Situations

Elementary-aged social skills group/Speech Therapy

For many children, elementary school is full of exciting new opportunities—making friends, joining games at recess, working on group projects, and sharing ideas in class. But for some kids, these social situations can feel confusing or overwhelming.

That’s where speech therapy can help.

Why Social Situations Can Be Tricky

Navigating the playground and classroom isn’t just about knowing the rules of a game or how to raise a hand—it’s about communication. Children use speech and language skills to:

• Ask to join a game at recess

• Take turns in a conversation

• Understand jokes or sarcasm

• Solve conflicts with peers

• Share ideas during group work

If a child struggles with these skills, they might feel left out, misunderstood, or frustrated.

How Speech Therapy Supports Social Communication

Speech therapy isn’t only about sounds and words—it also helps children build the social side of communication (often called pragmatic language).

In therapy, kids can learn to:

• Recognize facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice

• Practice starting, joining, and ending conversations

• Build flexibility when plans change during play or group work

• Develop problem-solving skills for peer conflicts

• Grow confidence in sharing ideas in front of others

Real-Life Impact

When children gain these skills, the changes show up everywhere:

• On the playground, they may feel confident asking, “Can I play too?” and joining in.

• In the classroom, they can work together on projects, listen to others’ ideas, and share their own.

• At home, they may use words to solve disagreements with siblings instead of frustration or withdrawal.

The Takeaway

Strong social communication skills help kids feel connected, confident, and ready to learn. If your child struggles with friendships, group activities, or everyday communication, speech therapy can provide the tools they need to thrive both on the playground and in the classroom.

👉 Interested in learning how our clinic supports social communication for elementary-aged children? Call us today at (818) 600-8790 to get started.

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