Preschool Learning Skills (PLS)
Despite its name, this program is suitable for various age groups. It is integrated into our social skills groups for our Early Learners and our Social Appropriateness Level 1 without any modifications to the system. However, the teaching of each individual skill is customized to meet the needs of each individual learner.
When using this approach with individuals over the age of 7, the system is adjusted to be age-appropriate while maintaining its integrity and effectiveness.
Common Questions
What is Preschool Learning Skills (PLS)?
The Preschool Learning Skills (PLS) program offers an outstanding approach for instilling essential social skills in young children and curbing undesirable behaviors. It uses a combination of individual, small group and medium group techniques to methodically teach thirteen key skills that promote social and academic success. These skills include:
- Responding to one’s name when called by adults and peers.
- Following single-step instructions under various conditions.
- Following multiple-step instructions under various conditions.
- Asking for “help” when faced with complex or difficult tasks.
- Demonstrating appropriate attention-getting behaviors.
- Appropriately getting an adult’s attention and waiting patiently to access stimuli.
- Appropriately getting a peer’s attention and waiting patiently to access stimuli.
- Developing tolerance in responding.
- Paying attention to newcomers.
- Sharing.
- Exhibiting empathy.
This program is highly adaptable, allowing for personalized adjustments to meet the specific needs of each individual. It can be tailored to benefit children of all ages, either to develop age-appropriate skills or to address skill gaps related to age.
How is Preschool Learning Skills (PLS) integrated?
PLS is available as a full-day program -via our Early Learners Group- for qualifying children aged 18 months to 5 years. Our six-hour program offers a balance of structured social and individual activities for a small group of up to 6 participants. During group sessions, each of the aforementioned skills is systematically taught, generalized, and maintained through activities like free play, structured play, group learning, and independent time. Throughout the day, each participant is pulled out for 1.5 to 3 hours (based on individual needs) to receive 1:1 SBT or the SBT for Stereotype program.
We employ a similar approach for our Social Appropriateness Level 1 group, tailored for qualifying children aged 5-7 years. This 2-hour group session is delivered in the afternoon twice a week.
A modified system is utilized for all other social groups we offer.