W orking with others is a key factor in teaching social skills. Students with learning difficulties gain social skills best when actively engaged in social experiences. The summer program teaches students sharing, communicating and expressing feelings by providing many opportunities for appropriate and constructive interactions with others. L iving and working together demands group trust and cooperation. During the summer program, students have a chance to practice various roles.
Some activities explore the role of leader.
Other activities emphasize the need for supporters and sharers, - dinner can't be made by just one person. W e alleviate many of the fears of not being good enough by allowing students to fully participate, confident that their effort will be recognized and applauded. The focus of activities is always on the process and effort, not the outcome. This means students are confident that they can gain new skills and become more age-appropriate in their interactions.