Our program is perfect for pre-schoolers preparing to start school who are needing ideas to support the new school environment and routine including how to:
- recognise and label emotions
- sharing and taking turns
- follow the group plan
- recognise and use non-verbal communication skills
- use whole body listening
Children will also benefit from gaining pre-literacy skills including:
- identifying and writing their name
- developing phonological awareness skills
- letter recognition
- Our program uses the award winning We Thinkers! series using evidence-based materials to strengthen perspective taking and self awareness.
What will my child learn?
Our program is perfect for pre-schoolers preparing to start school who are needing ideas to support the new school environment and routine including how to:
- recognise and label emotions
- sharing and taking turns
- follow the group plan
- recognise and use non-verbal communication skills
- use whole body listening
Our program uses the award winning We Thinkers! series using evidence-based materials to strengthen perspective taking and self awareness.
Children will also benefit from gaining pre-literacy skills including:
- identifying and writing their name
- developing phonological awareness skills
- letter recognition
Our program uses evidence based approaches, because our team loves The Science of Reading.
Sense of Belonging
As pre-schoolers become members of a broader community when transitioning into school, understanding the impact of their behaviour on their friendships with peers equips them with skills to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Resilience
Understanding how to self-regulate helps any person to manage conflict with kindness and increase their overall resilience. Pre-schoolers will explore strategies, using varied scenarios, to help them consider alternative perspectives and point of views from their peers. Play based scenarios are strategically modelled to demonstrate how to build social observational skills. Children will learn to recognise and label emotions, share and take turns, follow the group plan, recognise and use non-verbal communication skills and use whole body listening.
Confidence
Using the award winning We Thinkers program pre- schoolers can work towards milestones that support learning as part of a group. By engaging socially with other group members, children will explore the steps of regulation that help them to communicate with confidence including, modelling emotional control, sensory regulation, self-awareness, and problem- solving abilities through play-based activities.
Learn through evidence based award winning programs
It is commonly accepted that language is a social practice. Our School Readiness Program uses evidence based approaches to assist pre-schoolers to learn about their social world and build confidence through casual talk, in a child safe space. They also benefit from pre-literacy skills that will build confidence for a great start to school. Using language play and sophisticated questioning techniques, educators will harness the power of talk to stimulate and extend pre-schooler’s language and thinking. This includes encouraging pre-schooler’s learning and understanding about regulation and positive social skills through the provision of a universal common language, including expressing ideas, feeling and understandings and respecting the perspectives of others.
Program Costs
NDIS funding may be used depending on your plan. Please note that for participants with plan-managed NDIS there may be an out of pocket expense for the family for people on some types of plans. It is always best to speak with your plan manager. This program consists of 10 weekly 90 minute sessions, and an initial introductory meeting that will allow the facilitator to get to know you and your child and help tailor the program according to their needs. Total program cost is $950.
About your facilitators
Anne-Marie O’Hagan
Anne-Marie O’Hagan is an experienced teacher and the visionary behind The Social Skills Hub, bringing over 15 years of specialised experience supporting neurodivergent children and teens. She has a Bachelor of Social Science followed by a Bachelor of Teaching.
Anne-Marie recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Autism and Neurodivergent Studies at the University of Wollongong, and she is now finalising her Master’s in Autism and Neurodivergent Studies—continuing her dedication to professional growth. She has since trained extensively in leading interventions, including Secret Agent Society, PEERS for Young Adults, and PEERS for Preschoolers, and the Westmead Feelings Program.
Over the years, Anne-Marie has empowered more than 200 clients (ages 5 to 60) to navigate social interactions, build emotional resilience, and thrive in everyday settings.
Martin Papavgeris
Martin has a Bachelor of Education and is an experienced primary school teacher with a passion for supporting children’s social and emotional development. For over five years, he has served as a dedicated social skills coach, guiding young learners to build confidence and positive peer relationships.
Martin is highly skilled in facilitating evidence-based programs, including the Secret Agent Society small group social skills program and PEERS, both renowned for helping children develop essential social communication strategies.
His expertise allows him to create a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where students can practice and apply new skills, empowering them to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Emmalyne Day
Emmalyne holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary and Secondary) and is an experienced primary school teacher with a strong passion for empowering young people with the skills they need to thrive.
With over four years of experience as a social skills coach, Emmalyne is highly skilled in facilitating evidence-based programs, including Secret Agent Society and PEERS. Her warm and friendly nature helps children and teens feel supported, confident, and engaged as they develop important social and emotional skills.
