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Social Skills Checklist for children in Primary School

1.Basic Social Behaviours
A. Body Language
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
Turns head/body and faces speaker
directs gaze towards speaker
maintains eye contact with speaker


2.
sits and stands appropriately by holding head up and back straight
responds to physical prompts if required
walks with correct body posture


3.
identifies personal space demonstrates verbally, visually and tactually
works in close proximity to others without disrupting them
interacts with others at appropriate distances and according to the situation


4.
uses / responds to a variety of facial expressions and emotions: eg happy, sad, angry
names common gestures and facial expressions and the emotion / feeling related to them
uses / responds to common gestures: visually / tactually


5.
is aware of mannerisms
uses appropriate alternative activities to mannerisms tactually
substitutes an appropriate alternative mannerism


6.
knows appropriate body parts
demonstrates respect for privacy of self and others eg closes toilet door, arranges clothes properly





B. Communication Skills
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
joins in activities / conversations with an individual or small group

2
initiates a conversation uses ice breakers, greetings, introductions, farewells
makes appointments to meet friends at specific locations

2.
uses excuse me or other acceptable ways of interrupting
uses auditory / visual clues to identify opportunities for interrupting


3.
takes turns to answer questions
takes turns in conversations with a partner / small group
raises hand without talking

4.
listens to a conversation giving eye contact / facing speaker
uses verbal and non-verbal reinforcers: eg, nods head, uses mm..
uses reflective listening
talks about feelings
listens to others in a caring way: shows empathy and sympathy
comforts others verbally and non-verbally

5.
extends conversations over a short / long period
stays on the topic by sharing the common theme / ideas
uses open-ended questions to keep conversation flow

6.
uses positive comments as feedback
responds positively to others


7.
identifies put-downs and knows how to encourage others
uses thank you or other acceptable responses to praise
responds appropriately when disagreeing with someone

8.
engages in age-appropriate conversations with peers: eg about current music, clothes, toys, games
identifies slang words and phrases in current usage
identifies appropriate / offensive language
identifies harassment
converses in harassment-free language

9.
speaks audibly and clearly uses appropriate quality of voice (tone, pitch, volume)
uses socially acceptable language discriminates different types of language / conversation in
different settings

10.
self-corrects to clarify meaning
is prepared to rephrase or explain another way to convey the sense


3



Basic Social Behaviours
C. Cooperative Skills
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
respects different roles in a group
follows group / class rules / school rules
takes responsibility for a specific group task eg handing out equipment
takes on group roles: eg recorder, observer
demonstrates effective leadership skills

2.
uses entry skills to join informal groups eg Excuse me, can I play?
recognises exclusive groups / cliques versus open accepting groups


3.
Sustains group involvement by:
problem solving
encouraging others
eliminating put-downs
negotiating / mediating


4.
respects others by seeing other points of view
values the contributions of others
manages difference (eg between self and others)


5.
Demonstrates an age appropriate awareness of job related concepts by:
talking about family roles and responsibilities eg making bed, washing up
helping with classroom tasks
talking about community jobs and roles eg police, nurse
showing commitment and responsibility by completing assigned tasks
following a class timetable
adhering to homework diary
using a personal telephone book to ring friends/adults on PB Network
using appropriate telephone skills (directory assistance, emergency numbers)



2. Interpersonal Relationships
4
A. Interactions
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
Knows a range of games / activities appropriate for different age groups / blind / severe vision
impairment
Demonstrates the ability to engage in a variety of play / social activities with age appropriate groups
by:
o using recess and lunch time constructively
o using after school and weekend leisure time constructively
o identifying opportunities for participation in groups, clubs etc

2.
Interacts appropriately in a range of situations with:
family
school adults
school peers
friends
acquaintances
strangers
uses Protective Behaviours







3.
Can negotiate by:
recognising the problem
using strategies to deal with conflict
using problem-solving techniques
resolving conflict with win-win solutions whenever possible
making compromises when necessary





Interpersonal Relationships
B. Sustaining Relationships
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
knows different ways to act and talk in a range of relationships / situations: family to strangers
uses Protective Behaviours strategies

2.
compliments / encourages others by positive feedback eg clapping
empathises / sympathises in 1-1, group situations
responds appropriately to positive / negative feedback


3.
develops and sustains friendships over time
defines the characteristics of a good friend

5
4.
demonstrates appropriate behaviours at social events eg McDonalds: follows rules and accepts
consequences
shows understanding of the needs of others


5.
demonstrates age appropriate awareness of human sexuality
understands public and private behaviours





3. Cognitive Social Behaviours

A. Self-Identity
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
describes or answers questions about own and others vision impairment
takes care of own routine activities involving vision impairment : eg cleaning glasses, care of Low
Vision Devices
communicates the specific limitations and/or adaptations necessary to perform school tasks or to
play games etc

2.
takes risks with new activities: shows confidence in a range of activities
awareness of personal strengths and limitations

3.
indicates to others appropriately, in a range of settings, personal needs: eg I cannot see that
picture , Could you get me a tactile one please, Help me find the toilet please.
advocates for self by expressing needs in a range of settings including school, home and community


4.
demonstrates appropriate behaviour when meeting needs: negotiating rather than aggressive
behaviour




Cognitive Social Behaviours
B. Interpreting Social Situations
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
knows what and where activities are available in the playground eg chooses an activity at recess and
lunch

6
observes and identifies opportunities for social interactions
2.
responds to emotional voice tones / volume, and responds to louder voice / danger, by appropriate
behaviour or response eg Fire alarm, lets go together to the oval.
Interprets social cues and evaluates social interactions
Role plays different scenarios demonstrating the ability to interpret a situation


3.
anticipates consequences of own actions and takes responsibility for own behaviour


4.
knows when he/she is being harassed and takes appropriate action
knows grievance procedure for harassment
recognises conversations / situations in which harassment occurs


5.
knows and demonstrates problem-solving skills eg identifies problems and thinks of different
solutions


6.
knows and demonstrates Protective Behaviours strategies eg Stop it, I dont like it.
finds safe places to play




Cognitive Social Behaviours
C. Performance of Social Skills
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1.
knows and keeps class routines and rules
knows consequences of behaviour, positive and negative
demonstrates appropriate behaviour in a range of settings: school, home, community


2.
initiates and performs appropriate behaviours

3.
generalises social skills to a variety of situations


4.
sustains social competence over time





7
Cognitive Social Behaviours
D. Self-evaluation
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1
identifies and acknowledges own appropriate or inappropriate behaviour after an activity.
Identifies helpful or not helpful behaviour in an activity, and can record in written or pictorial form


2.
adjusts own behaviour by appropriate negotiation or consequences, without adult intervention eg free
activity, playground activity
participates appropriately in a group without adult intervention


3.
demonstrates the ability to evaluate and monitor own social performance realistically
demonstrates the ability to adjust own behaviour accordingly




Social Skills Checklist Junior Secondary SACE

Basic Social Behaviours
A. Body Language
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1. Maintains appropriate eye contact when listening and speaking


2. Demonstrates appropriate body posture


3. Maintains appropriate personal body space


4. Responds to gestures and facial expressions


5. Utilises gestures and facial expressions


6. Refrains from engaging in socially unacceptable mannerisms



Basic Social Behaviours
B. Communication Skills
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
8
1. Positively initiates interactions with others
2. Expands conversations using skills of both questioning and volunteering information


3. Uses appropriate greetings and partings in conversations


4. Listens well


5. Takes turns and shares


6. Compliments


7. Interrupts appropriately


8. Demonstrates sympathy and empathy


9. Speaks with an appropriate tone and volume


10. Responds appropriately to both positive and negative feedback from peers and adults






Basic Social Behaviours

C. Cooperative skills
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1. Negotiates class rules and consequences


2. Demonstrates awareness of group dynamics


3. Works cooperatively with others


4. Sustains group involvement


5. Shares in group activity


6. Initiates joining a group


7. Leads group activity


8. Accepts supervisors authority in classroom


9
9. Accepts supervisors authority on the job



Interpersonal Relationships
A. Interactions
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1. Interacts appropriately with others:
Adult
Family
Friend
Peer
Acquaintances
strangers


2. Can negotiate / compromise


3. Shows awareness of age appropriate activities and interests



4. Participates in age appropriate activities and interests



5. Encourages the efforts of others



6. Demonstrates gratitude towards others



7. Behaves politely (eg please, thanks, excuse me)


8. Helps others when appropriate


9. Is accepted by others

Interpersonal Relationships
B. Sustaining Relationships
Acquired Date
acquired
Comment
1. Demonstrates an understanding of differences between family, friends, acquaintances and strangers


2. Develops friendships


3. Demonstrates appropriate behaviours for social events


4. Interacts with peers outside of school


5. Understands the needs of others help, support, listening, encouragement etc
10

6. Demonstrates an age appropriate awareness of human sexuality including:
Concepts of public versus private
Societal values and attitudes



Cognitive Social Behaviours
Acquired Date
acquired

A. Self Identity

1. Demonstrates understanding of vision impairment



2. Demonstrates awareness of personal competencies and limitations



3. Demonstrates awareness of possible adaptations



4. Advocates for self in school, home and community environments



5. Demonstrates assertiveness in an appropriate manner