Child Peer Relationships & Social Skills Training

Program Description

This HDFS class is designed to give undergraduate students advanced training in working with elementary school children who are struggling with their peer relationships and
socioemotional skills. Students spend the first three weeks engaging in reading about the
importance of positive peer relationships and the skills needed to effectively interact with
others. We also learned about the history of social skills training and the techniques and
strategies used to work with children. The remainder of the semester is spent in small groups working with five children, three of whom have been identified as needing help interacting with other children and their teachers. One day (two hours) a week is spent preparing activities and discussing the previous week’s session. The other day (two hours) is spent out in the school, working with the children. Writing assignments include short reflection papers on the readings or the week’s session and vary depending on the number of credits the student is signed up for. This is tough but rewarding work. It is perfect for students wanting to do applied and clinical work with children, but students from any major are welcome. Students who are interested should contact Dr. Troop-Gordon at wpg0006@auburn.edu to set up an interview.