Social Skills Groups In New York City
We help children find joy in their social communities
for children ages 2-10
Our Approach
40+ years of combined experience working with children in social settings.
Holistic Approach
Trauma-informed
Developmentally play-based and neurodiverse-affirming
Child-led and strength-based
Relationship-based, highly individualized
Small group setting + curated environments and materials
We believe that all children have unique strengths and the desire to connect with others.
At PlayGroup, we support children and families in discovering their strengths. We believe every child deserves to be themselves while learning skills to play and connect at school, at home, and in the world.
Let’s learn to be ourselves — together.
PlayGroup founders and teachers
Becky Thomas and Krista Wilbur
Our mission is to provide evidence-based and individualized programming centered on the capacities of social and emotional development. Through the use of a play-based and child-centered model, we strive to help children find fulfillment and joy in their relationships and social environments.
Our classes welcome children aged 2 to 10, encompassing diverse educational backgrounds, such as special education schools, public schools, private schools, preschools, homeschooling, and more. We thoughtfully group children according to their individual needs, interests, and strengthsinteractions.
At PlayGroup, we celebrate the uniqueness of each child, regardless of diagnosis or identity. We strive to create an environment where disabilities are not viewed as something to be corrected for a neurotypical world. We openly support both disabled and non-disabled children and foster an inclusive community together by learning about themselves.
What We Do
Social Skills Groups
In our offices
Our Social Skills Groups provide support in various areas, including boosting confidence, fostering enjoyment in peer interactions, developing social language and problem-solving abilities, exploring individual identity within a group, and offering guidance and support for parents.
Through play, movement, cooking, building, and creating our framework of interactive activities, we provide an environment where children can lead with their interests, develop and strengthen their individual social abilities.
Custom Play Environments
PlayGroup at Home
Children who find it challenging to engage in independent play at home or experience difficulties during playdates may be experiencing overwhelm and frustration due to their play environment.
Our home visits help set up and organize the environment after spending time playing with the child and speaking to the parent about their concerns/struggles. Our goal is to create a space that is led by your child’s interests and needs and create space for them to boost their confidence, foster enjoyment in peer interactions, develop social language problem-solving abilities, and explore individual identity with other children.
Educational Environments
Social Skills Groups in schools + educational team support
Setting up a Social Skills Group in your school will help children who are struggling and need support with play skills, social engagement, connecting with peers or experience overwhelmed in a social environment.
Our in-school program is designed to support educators by providing a personalized experience that caters to the unique needs of the children. In addition, we provide educators with professional development training and strategies they can use to support children in their social and emotional development.
At PlayGroup children will gain…
Joyful social interactions
New play skills
Stronger social communication skills
Skills for self-advocacy
Confidence in social settings
Support for parents
What parents say
“We have seen marked improvements in our son's ability to tune into what others are doing and increased capacity to handle social situations.”
“Playgroup has dramatically improved our kiddo's confidence and self-esteem, as well as his skills to make connections and hold boundaries. Playgroup was the first (and for a while the only) setting outside of our home where our kiddo was truly seen and understood for who he is.”
What kids say
::jumps up and down while flapping hands:: "ten thousand million billion ka-trillion fun."
“A fun place to hang out with friends.”
“So much fun.”
We help children gain the confidence to be themselves.
Let’s start with a conversation
3 simple steps to get started
Step 1 - Schedule an information call
Contact us by email or use the form. Once received, we will schedule a 30-minute consultation to determine how we can help and answer your questions.
Step 2 - Learn about each other
We chat so that we can learn the best way to support you, you can learn about us and answer any questions you may have.
Step 3 - Make a plan
We will work together to find the best fit for you and your child to begin the journey toward joy and social confidence.
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