SEEC Online Seminar #03: Friendship and Social Skills Development for Children

Event Information:
Topic: Friendship and Social Skills Development for Children
👉 Register for Free: Link
⏰ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Saturday, July 11, 2026
📍 Format: Online via Zoom
🔗 SEEC Community – Supporting Children with Special Rights: Link

Children Want Friends, But May Not Yet Know How to Connect

• “Why does my child always play alone?”
• “Why does my child want to play with other children but often gets rejected?”
• “Why does my child frequently experience conflicts with peers?”

These are common questions that many parents of children with special rights have asked while raising and supporting their children.

When children have limited interactions with peers or struggle with social relationships, many people assume that they do not enjoy socializing or have little interest in connecting with others. However, the reality is often quite different. Many children genuinely want to participate in activities with their peers, be accepted as part of a group, and develop meaningful friendships.

What they often lack is not the desire to connect, but the foundational skills that make social interactions natural and successful. From paying attention to others, waiting for their turn, and initiating conversations, to understanding the emotions and responses of peers, these are all essential skills in the development of social competence and community inclusion.

Through SEEC Online Seminar #03: Friendship and Social Skills Developemnt for Children, parents will gain a deeper understanding of how friendships develop, the common social barriers faced by children with special rights, and practical ways to support their children in building positive and lasting relationships step by step.

What Will Parents Gain from This Seminar?
Participants will be equipped with practical knowledge and evidence-based strategies to help children develop friendship skills and improve social inclusion.

Specifically, parents will:

• Understand how friendships develop in children and the key milestones in building social relationships.
• Identify the foundational skills children need before they can establish and maintain friendships.
• Gain insight into the common social barriers experienced by children with special rights when interacting with peers.
• Learn practical strategies and activities that can be implemented at home to support social development.
• Discover effective ways to accompany and support their children throughout their journey of connection, inclusion, and relationship-building.

Main Seminar Content

Part 1: Why Do Many Children Struggle with Making Friends?
Many parents see the outcome—”my child has no friends”—but the underlying causes often stem from foundational social skills that have not yet been fully developed.
In this session, our specialist will help parents understand the common social barriers experienced by children with special rights, as well as some of the most common misconceptions about friendship and social inclusion.

Part 2: Stages of Friendship Development in Children
Friendship is not a skill that appears overnight. It develops gradually through different stages of growth and social learning.
Parents will explore the journey from a child’s initial awareness of others, to parallel play, interactive play, and eventually the development and maintenance of genuine friendships.

Part 3: Five Foundational Skills Needed Before Friendship Can Develop
This core session will help parents understand the essential abilities that form the foundation of social connection, including:

•  Joint Attention
• Turn Taking
• Interactive Play
• Two-Way Conversation
• Emotional Regulation and Coping with Rejection

Through these topics, parents will come to understand that friendship is not simply about saying hello or starting a conversation. Rather, it is the result of many smaller skills that are developed and strengthened over time.
Meet the Speaker

Ms. Dung Vu – Programme Director, SEEC

• Master’s Degree in School Psychology
• International Behavior Analyst (IBA)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder intervention specialist with 15 years of experience supporting children with special rights.
• Certified assessor of academic abilities (YCAT-2), cognitive abilities (WISC-V), and Autism Spectrum Disorder screening (GARS-3).
• Speaker and trainer for the Clinical Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder program at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH).
• Parent support specialist for families of children with autism within the Vietnam Autism Network (VAN).

Drawing on years of direct experience working with children and families, Ms. Dung will share professional insights and practical solutions to help parents better understand, effectively support, and confidently accompany their children in developing social and friendship skills.

A Message from the Seminar

“Making friends is not a single skill—it is the outcome of dozens of smaller skills that develop gradually over time.”

When parents understand the foundations behind a child’s ability to connect with others, they can provide more effective support, helping their child build confidence, develop a sense of belonging, and create meaningful relationships throughout life.

We look forward to welcoming parents and participants to this upcoming event!
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🏡 Special Em’s Special Education Center
▪ Campus 1: 15 Tu Xuong, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
▪ Campus 2: SEEC Go Vap Inclusive Preschool Model – Cityland Center Hills Residential Area, Ward 1, Ho Chi Minh City
📞 Hotline: 0901 101 926
💌 Email: info@specialems.edu.vn
🌐 Website: https://specialems.edu.vn/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialems
📸 Instagram: @special.ems