Social Skills Training (SST) is one of the more commonly recommended forms of support for children who experience difficulties in peer relationships, emotional regulation or functioning in a group. Although the term SST is widely used today, its meaning is understood in different ways, and the sessions themselves can vary considerably.

That is why, before signing your child up, it is worth knowing what SST actually is, who it was designed for, when it can genuinely help — and when a different form of support might be a better fit.

What is Social Skills Training?

SST is a structured form of therapeutic work aimed at developing specific social competencies in a child. It is not free play or educational activity, but a planned process grounded in developmental psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy and research on how social behaviours are learned.

In work with young children, the training focuses on areas such as:

• recognising and naming emotions,

• understanding basic social rules,

• responding in conflict situations,

• taking turns and cooperating,

• managing frustration and tension.

  
  

It is important to note that SST is not about teaching correct behaviour or correcting the child. Its aim is to equip the child with tools that will help them understand themselves and others better, and to function in relationships in a more predictable and safe way.

What do SST sessions look like for young children?

The format is always adapted to the age and developmental level of the participants. With preschool and early school-age children, methods based on action and experience are predominant, such as:

• themed play,

• short social role-play scenarios,

• exercises using pictures and stories,

• movement and body-based activities,

• conversation conducted in a simple, concrete way.

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Sessions take place in small, stable groups, typically of four to six children. This size allows the therapist to observe each child carefully, respond to their behaviour and adapt the pace of work to the participants.

Each session has a predictable structure: an opening, a main part and a closing summary. For children who often feel lost in social situations, this repetition is an important element in building a sense of safety.

What children attend SST sessions?

Children with very different needs attend social skills training.

Most commonly these are children who:

• have difficulty initiating and maintaining peer relationships,

• react with strong emotions in social situations,

• withdraw from contact or, conversely, behave impulsively,

• experience frequent conflicts in group settings,

• have a diagnosis of ADHD, anxiety disorder or are on the autism spectrum.

  
  

It is worth noting that attending SST does not indicate serious problems. Often these are children of typical intellectual ability — sensitive, intelligent — who simply need additional support in the area of relationships.

When does SST make the most sense?

SST sessions are particularly helpful when social difficulties:

• repeat across different environments (home, nursery, school),

• make it harder for the child to function in a group,

• affect their wellbeing or self-esteem,

• do not stem solely from a temporary crisis or change in life circumstances.

  
  

At the same time, SST is not always the first choice. In some children, difficulties in relationships are secondary to other problems — such as significant anxiety, low mood, sensory difficulties or adjustment difficulties. In such situations, prior diagnosis and individual therapeutic work are essential.

What to look for when signing your child up for SST?

The decision to participate in SST should be preceded by reflection and a conversation with a specialist. Several important points are worth considering:

• Assessment for the group

  
  

  Properly run sessions are preceded by a mandatory consultation, observation of the child or a parental interview. Without this, a poor group fit can not only discourage the child but also reinforce unwanted behaviours.

  
  

• Group composition and size

  
  

  A group that is too large or too varied makes it harder for the child to genuinely work on social skills.

  
  

• Qualifications of the practitioner

  
  

  Sessions should be led by a psychologist or therapist with experience working with children, who is able to respond to challenging behaviours and understands developmental mechanisms. In larger groups of six to eight children, two co-facilitators are often present to increase focus on each participant.

  
  

• Collaboration with parents

  
  

  Well-run SST includes regular contact with parents, feedback on progress and guidance on how to support the child outside sessions. A good practice is to provide a written summary after the initial assessment meeting, and at the end of each semester to share a progress summary with parents. This allows for a meaningful review of the child's development and provides valuable information for a new practitioner in the event of a change of setting.

  
  

Who leads SST sessions?

Social Skills Training sessions should be led by specialists with a psychological or therapeutic background and experience working with children. What matters is not only qualifications, but also the ability to understand the child's emotional and social development and to respond to challenging behaviours in a supportive rather than corrective way.

The SST practitioner observes group dynamics, maintains the emotional safety of the children and flexibly adapts the session to the current needs of the participants. Their role is not only to facilitate exercises, but also to help children name emotions, understand social situations and transfer new skills into everyday experiences at home, in nursery and at school.

SST as part of a broader support process

At Równoważni MED, we treat Social Skills Training as one possible form of support — not a universal solution. It produces the best results when it is embedded in a broader context of diagnosis, individual therapeutic work and collaboration with the family.

Not every child needs SST, but for many — with the right group, pace and goals — it can become an important step in building relationships, confidence and a better understanding of the social world.