Get Excited! Two More Weeks Until Our Summer Social Intensive Program Begins!

Our clinical team is counting the days until our annual FirstSteps for Friends: Summer Social Intensive Program begins!  Scheduled throughout the month of July, our goal is to provide every FirstSteps participant with a wonderful experience to remember— one in which they have non-stop opportunities to learn and practice meaningful communication and social skills while simultaneously connecting and having a blast with friends old and new. 

Unique to FirstSteps, our meticulously developed Social Skills Intensive is customized to each participating child’s individualized needs and ABA learning goals.  FirstSteps’ BCBA and Director of Community Programs (including our Social Skills Intensive), Erin Silverman, explains “we create a deliberately enriched environment wherein there are continuous opportunities for our kids to learn from their RBT instructors and, importantly, from one another.” She adds, “our weekly themes function to not only provide a fun summer context, but also to prompt our kids to identify their own and their peers’ perspectives, as each child responds uniquely to the shared learning themes.”   

When asked about this year’s themes, Silverman shares that both the kids and clinical team members voted to select the most fun (and ideally broad) topics that would allow our team to create a tailored learning experience for each child. “The themes are evident in everything we do throughout the week, from decor, costumes, and experiential learning opportunities, our kids have ongoing, concentrated exposure to a topic that is both kid-preferred and critical to their social development.” 

So, what are this year’s themes? 

Week 1: Summer – Let’s Go Camping! 

• Our kids will learn all about the great outdoors! From diving into the wonders of the wilderness, to singing choral campfire songs and telling campfire stories, to making and enjoying (healthy) s’mores, and practicing navigation with maps, this theme is all about discovery! 

Week 2: Paint the Rainbow & See the World 

• Our world is full of color! This theme not only helps our kids learn to identify and think about the many colors they see each day, but also inspires creativity via a variety of art activities, nature walks, and even some rainbow science experiments. 

Week 3: When You Wish Upon a Star – All Things Disney! 

• A favorite topic for kids of all ages (and many adults), this theme presents Walt Disney’s many beloved characters and lands, with ample opportunities to talk, create, play, and participate in “all things Disney.” As we teach “the Bare Necessities,” our kids will share and listen to stories, join sing-alongs, recall and recreate the fun characteristics of Mickey, Moana, Ariel, Simba, and more, as our team brings the magic of Disney to life. 

Week 4: These are the People in your Neighborhood 

• Big Bird approved, this week is all about community – the friends, neighbors, teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, and everyone that makes a neighborhood thrive.   

Team FirstSteps is ready to make this summer the best one yet! Let the Fun Begin!  

For a look behind the scenes at our Annual FirstSteps for Friends program, check out last year’s news here.