Teaching Social Skills Through Play: Valentine’s Activities in Trudeau’s ABA Program
At the Trudeau Center’s ABA Treatment Center, we understand that holidays provide unique opportunities to enhance social skills development through naturally motivating and engaging activities. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Trudeau’s clinical and therapy teams are incorporating themed activities that make learning social skills both fun and meaningful for our young clients.
Valentine’s Day celebrations offer natural contexts for practicing crucial social interactions, from sharing and turn-taking to expressing feelings and showing kindness to others. Trudeau’s ABA program utilizes these seasonal activities to reinforce social skills in ways that feel natural and enjoyable for children, rather than purely instructional.
“Valentine’s Day activities provide wonderful opportunities to teach reciprocal social interactions,” explained Sandra Peltier, Director of Home and Center-Based Programs at the Trudeau Center. “Whether it’s creating cards for classmates or participating in themed games, these activities help children practice important skills like perspective-taking and emotional expression in a structured, supportive environment.”
Trudeau’s approach integrates evidence-based ABA principles with developmentally appropriate Valentine’s activities. For example, making Valentine’s cards becomes an exercise in fine motor skills, following multi-step instructions, and understanding the concept of giving to others. Through careful planning and individualized support, our therapy teams break down these activities into manageable steps that allow each child to participate successfully at their own level.
Social skills particularly emphasized during Trudeau’s Valentine’s activities include greeting others, maintaining appropriate personal space, taking turns, sharing materials, and expressing preferences. These skills are fundamental to building meaningful relationships and navigating social situations successfully. Trudeau’s clinical team carefully designs activities that naturally encourage these interactions while maintaining the systematic approach that makes ABA therapy effective.
“We’ve seen remarkable progress in children’s social engagement through seasonal activities like our Valentine’s celebrations,” notes Peltier. “The natural motivation children feel to participate in these special activities often leads to spontaneous social interactions we can then reinforce and build upon.”
The program incorporates various sensory experiences that appeal to different learning styles and preferences. From tactile activities with themed materials to social games that encourage peer interaction, each activity is designed to support multiple learning objectives while maintaining engagement. This multi-faceted approach helps ensure that skills practiced during Valentine’s activities can generalize to other social situations throughout the year.
Parents are essential partners in this process, and our team provides guidance on how to extend these learning opportunities at home. Simple activities like sorting conversation hearts by color or making Valentine’s decorations can become valuable opportunities for practicing communication, following directions, and social skills in the home environment.
The Trudeau Center’s ABA Treatment Center, located in Warwick, RI, continues to be at the forefront of innovative approaches to autism treatment. Its Valentine’s programming exemplifies its commitment to combining evidence-based practices with engaging, age-appropriate activities that support clients’ development across all domains, including crucial social skills.
Families interested in learning more about how Trudeau’s ABA program incorporates seasonal activities to support social skills development are encouraged to contact the center. The team is dedicated to helping children develop the social skills they need to form meaningful connections and experience the joy of friendship.
