Skill Crafters
(Co-Ed Upper Elementary Social Skills Group)
SESSION DATES:
August 19 - December 16, 2026
Wednesdays @ 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
(For 3rd-5th Grade Upper Elementary Co-Ed, Ages 8-11)
This Fall, Skills Crafters is offering a 17-week therapy group designed to help children build essential social skills and confidence. Using Social Learning Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we will practice managing impulses, communicating effectively, regulating emotions, solving social problems, and working as a team.
Through fun activities, games, and guided discussions, we will learn to make positive choices, build empathy, strengthen friendships, and discover our unique strengths.
Join us for this supportive and empowering experience where children develop social skills to lead with confidence!
This group focuses on following areas (but are not limited to):
Topics Include:
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Week #1 August 19th: Welcome to Skills Crafters
Let’s start the semester strong with team building, get-to-know-you games, and creating our group rules!
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Week #2 August 26th: Understanding Our Brains and Emotions
A kid-friendly introduction to how our brains and feelings work to build empathy and reduce stigma.
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Week #3 September 2nd: Role Models in Real Life
Explore how we learn from others and identify positive role models who show kindness and bravery.
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Week #4 September 9th: Navigating Tricky Feelings
Build emotional regulation skills and practice recognizing and communicating needs in healthy ways.
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Week #5 September 16th: Monkey See, Monkey Do… How We Influence One Another
Notice how friends and others shape our choices and learn how to lead yourself even when others are making different decisions.
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Week #6 September 23rd: Stress Detectives
Become a stress detective by learning to recognize stress signals, identify triggers, and practice tools that help your body and brain feel calm.
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Week #7 September 30th: What You Do Matters: Leading Through Actions
Discover how everyday choices and small acts can make a positive difference for others.
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Week #8 October 7th: Impulse Control: Press Pause Before You Act
Learn strategies to stay in charge of your behavior, even when your brain wants to go fast.
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Week #9 October 14th: Rewards and Consequences: Making Choices That Work!
Explore why we do what we do and strengthen our understanding of what we can and can’t control.
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Week #10 October 21st: Confidence and Self-Identity Exploration
Celebrate strengths, embrace mistakes as part of learning, and practice how to keep going when things don’t go as planned.
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Week #11 October 28th: The Power of “Yet”: Growth Mindset in Action
Discover how mistakes help our brains grow, practice positive and mindful self-talk, and learn how to keep trying when something feels difficult.
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Week #12 November 4th: Perspective Power and Empathy in Action
Understand intent versus impact and explore how to be mindful of how our actions affect others.
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Week #13 November 11th: Conversation Champs
Build communication and social conversation skills to connect more easily with peers.
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Week #14 November 18th: Whole Self Self-Care
Learn ways to care for your mental, physical, and digital well-being while still having fun.
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November 25th: No Group: Thanksgiving Break!
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Week #15 December 2nd: Building Our Friendship Culture
Together we'll explore what makes a great friend, practice creating kind and welcoming friendships, and learn to recognize healthy vs unhealthy friendship qualities.
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Week #16 December 9th: Team Problem Solving Challenge
Work together to solve fun challenges using communication, flexibility, and leadership skills.
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Week #17 December 16th: Skills Crafters Celebration & Reflection
Practice and celebrate all the skills you’ve learned with fun group activities focused on teamwork, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and reflecting on how far we’ve come as leaders, friends, and problem-solvers.
*15min Zoom Pre-Admission Interview is required prior to registration for new clients.
Led by: Katherine Esquivel, MS, LPC