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Why It Matters

Summer break is a wonderful time, but it can also mean a break from social practice. Without daily interactions at school, kids may feel rusty when it comes to starting conversations, resolving conflicts, or making new friends. To help, here are some simple, fun tips, you can try with your child to keep those social skills sharp all summer long!

How to Use These Tips

  • Keep it light, fun, and low pressure
  • Pick one or two to try each week
  • Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome!

For Elementary Students

At this age, social skills are all about sharing space with others, reading basic emotional cues and learning cooperation.

Rule-Maker Game Night: Let your child invent a rule for a board game and explain it clearly to the family.

Ice Cream Shop Script: Practice roleplaying ordering their favorite treat before going to the shop.

Conversation Stoplight: Teach conversation flow using traffic light symbols at dinner time (Green = share, Yellow = wrap up/ask question, Red = stop & listen).

Collaborative Playdates: Choose a joint project (Legos, forts, crafts) to practice sharing & teamwork.

Play “Feelings Detective”: People-watch while at the park, store, etc., and guess how others are feeling based on their body language.

For Middle and High School Students

At this age, focus on developing deeper empathy, digital boundaries, navigating peer pressure, and self-advocacy to support their social skills growth.

30 Second “Social Stretch” Challenge: Help combat social anxiety by encouraging your teen to try one tiny social stretch a week. For example: saying “good morning” to a neighbor, texting a friend “Hey, hope you’re having a great summer”, or making small talk with a cashier.

Digital Free Hour: Co-create with your teen a daily tech-free hour (like dinner) to practice distraction-free conversations.

Movie Night Perspective: Pause a dramatic movie scene and ask questions like, “Why do you think they reacted that way?”, “What do you think they actually wanted to say?” to practice perspective taking.

Customer Service Duty: Have your teen handle real-world tasks – call to order takeout, schedule a doctor’s appointment, or return a package.

Host a Hangout: Have them host a chill hangout (movie night, video game tournament, bonfire s’mores night). Let them manage the logistics and entertain their peers.

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