At Verbal Beginnings, we believe growth happens one meaningful step at a time. Our Social Beginnings elementary curriculum is designed to help children feel confident and prepared as they navigate school routines, peer interactions, and social expectations—building the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
This program helps children move from learning what social skills are to confidently using them in real-world situations- all under an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) framework.
What Your Child Will Learn
Our Social Beginnings elementary curriculum focuses on higher-level social skills that become increasingly important during the elementary years. Through intentional instruction and practice, children learn how to:
- Participate in back-and-forth conversations with peers
- Understand and respond to different perspectives
- Identify and talk about feelings and emotions
- Learn how to respond to non-preferred or unwanted social situations, like bullying
- Practice flexibility, especially when things don’t go as planned
All skills are taught in a supportive, structured environment where children feel encouraged to try, practice, and grow.
Learning Through Fun, Hands-On Activities
Learning Through Fun, Hands-On ActivitiesChildren learn best when they’re engaged—and having fun. That’s why our Elementary Curriculum uses hands-on activities that naturally encourage peer interaction and teamwork.
These activities may include:
- Interactive games and puzzles
- Cooperative team-building challenges
- Creative art-based projects
- Guided science experiments
Each activity is thoughtfully chosen to strengthen communication, problem-solving, and collaboration, while keeping learning exciting and motivating.
Turning Skills Into Real-Life Success
Learning a social skill is important—but using it in everyday life is the real goal. Our elementary curriculum places a strong emphasis on generalization, helping children apply what they learn across different settings.
As skills grow and expand, children are supported in:
- Using social skills at school, at home, and in the community
- Building independence and confidence
- Creating meaningful peer connections
- Participating more successfully in group settings
This approach helps ensure that progress continues well beyond the classroom.
Curriculum Example: Teamwork in Action
Curriculum Example: Teamwork in ActionDuring a team-building activity, children might be asked to build a bridge using random art supplies. While working toward a shared goal, your child practices:
- Engaging in conversation with peers
- Listening to others’ ideas
- Responding thoughtfully and respectfully
- Working together as part of a team
Along the way, children also strengthen skills like flexibility, problem-solving, and adapting to different viewpoints—all essential tools for success in school and social environments.
Supporting Your Child’s Growth
Our Social Beginnings program is designed to meet your child where they are and help them grow with confidence. By combining structured instruction with engaging, peer-based learning, we help children build social skills that last.
At Verbal Beginnings, we’re here to support your child every step of the way—helping them connect, communicate, and thrive.
And our staff truly wants to support your child every step of the way. Check out what Sarah Bittner, clinical supervisor, has to say about her role with Social Beginnings.
“I have worked as a Clinical Supervisor with Verbal Beginnings for five years and as a special education teacher for the past 20 years. My work in the Social Beginnings program has been one of the highlights of my career. Supporting clients as they learn the skills needed to build and maintain meaningful relationships is incredibly rewarding. The greatest joy comes from hearing about friendships that grow beyond group—birthday parties, playdates, and moments when our clients feel truly accepted and valued. I am so proud to be part of the SB community!”
Want to learn more or register for our Social Beginnings Program? Reach out today—we’d love to share details and help your family get started!
