No one to play with? UCLA’s PEERS for Preschoolers program is changing that

(Press-News.org) Imagine this: You watch your child at the playground, their eyes lighting up as they approach a group of laughing kids. But instead of welcoming them in, the children turn away. No invitation to join, no shared smiles—just an invisible barrier keeping your child on the outside looking in.

For parents, the pain of seeing their child struggle to make friends can be heartbreaking. Every parent wants their child to be included, to experience the joy of companionship, and to feel the warmth of a friendly hand reaching out to pull them into play. But what happens when social skills don’t come naturally? Where do parents turn when their child is struggling to navigate the complex world of friendship?

The PEERS for Preschoolers program, developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, is now one of the only evidence-based solutions designed to help young children (ages 4–6) on the autism spectrum to learn the fundamental skills needed to form lasting friendships. And the world is taking notice.

UCLA’s First-Ever PEERS for Preschoolers Certified Teleconference Draws Global Attention

UCLA recently hosted the first-ever PEERS for Preschoolers Certified Teleconference, training approximately 450 clinicians and educators from 28 countries in the science of teaching social skills to preschool-aged children. Attendees from across the globe — including professionals from the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and beyond — gathered virtually to learn how to help young children make and keep friends.

“The PEERS for Preschoolers program is a groundbreaking approach to social skills training that has the potential to transform the lives of young children and their families worldwide,” says Dr. Tomoko Yamada from Osaka University in Japan and one of the attendees at the recent teleconference. “Early social development lays the foundation for lifelong relationships, yet many children struggle with the skills needed to connect with their peers. By providing an evidence-based, structured method for teaching social engagement, this program empowers not only children but also their parents and educators.”

This groundbreaking training followed the much-anticipated publication of the PEERS® for Preschoolers Manual, published by Routledge, which compiles over 15 years of research conducted at UCLA on the program’s effectiveness.

Friendship: A Skill That Can Be Taught

While some children seem to form friendships effortlessly, others need a little extra guidance. PEERS for Preschoolers teaches social engagement skills through structured lessons with puppet shows, role-playing, and hands-on practice. The program focuses on:

✔ Turn-taking and sharing

✔ Social engagement

✔ Cooperative play

✔ Good sportsmanship

✔ Parent organized playdates

Unlike traditional social skills programs, PEERS for Preschoolers actively involves parents, ensuring that caregivers are equipped to coach their children at home and reinforce these skills in real-world settings.

“The ability to make and keep friends is critical for lifelong success, and yet, for many young children, social skills do not come naturally,” says Laugeson, a UCLA clinical professor, licensed clinical psychologist, and one of the world’s leading experts in social skills training. “With PEERS for Preschoolers, we’re giving children the tools they need to connect with others, and we’re giving parents the confidence to support them. Friendship isn’t just luck — it’s a skill that can be taught, and we’re thrilled to be sharing these strategies with professionals worldwide.”

More Training Opportunities on the Horizon

Due to overwhelming demand, the UCLA PEERS Clinic will host a second PEERS for Preschoolers Certified Teleconference from July 30 through August 1, 2025. For more information or to register, contact the UCLA PEERS Clinic at peersclinic@ucla.edu.

About PEERS

The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is a world-renowned, evidence-based social skills intervention developed at UCLA by Dr. Laugeson. With programs designed for preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults, PEERS has been translated into over a dozen languages and implemented in more than 150 countries. Programs focus on friendships, dating, and employment.

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