PEERS for Preschoolers - Uncommon Sense Parenting with Allana Robinson

An evidence-based program from UCLA that empowers parents to teach their 3–6-year-olds how to make and keep friends

Friendship skills don’t come pre-installed!

You’re doing everything you can to raise a kind, confident kid…

But when your 4-year-old is shouting “NO!” at a playdate, melting down when asked to share, or getting left out because they don’t know how to join in—it’s hard not to panic.

You’ve tried narrating. Explaining. Reminding them to “be kind.”

But instead of progress, you’re getting side-eyes from other parents and tantrums on the sidewalk.

It’s not that your child is bad at making friends.

It’s that no one’s taught them how.

And that’s exactly what we’re about to change.

Enter: PEERS for Preschoolers®

Turn “Play nice!” into “Now that’s how we do it!”

PEERS for Preschoolers® isn’t just a cute idea about social play.

It’s a research-backed parenting program developed by the UCLA Semel Institude for Neuroscience and Human Behavior that teaches you how to coach your child through real-life social situations—step by step.

You’ll learn exactly what to say, how to say it, and when to step in—so your 4–6-year-old can start building true friendships, not just parallel play.

And the best part?

You don’t need a degree in psychology or a perfectly behaved kid to make it work.

You bring the love. I’ll bring the strategy.

Who is this workshop perfect for?

Parents of kids aged 3–6 who struggle to make or keep friends. If your child is being left out, bossing others around, or melting down when they don’t get their way—this is for you.
Parents who feel like a full-time referee. You’re constantly breaking up arguments, narrating social rules, and coaching on the fly with zero results. You can’t leave your child alone with peers for five minutes without chaos.
Parents who’ve tried “gentle parenting”… and still feel stuck. You’ve explained, modelled, and encouraged—but nothing seems to stick. Your child knows what to do, but they can’t do it in the moment.
Parents who just want to help their kid feel included, not overwhelmed. You know your child is kind and capable—you just need the tools to help them show it.

Teaching your child social skills will:

Boost their confidence, communication, and cooperation, so they can connect with peers and navigate tricky social situations—without meltdowns, aggression, or shutdowns.
Strengthen their self-regulation and emotional control, helping them manage frustration, take turns, and bounce back when things don’t go their way.
Ease your stress during playdates, park trips, and preschool pickups, because you won’t have to constantly intervene, mediate, or decode what went wrong.

But most importantly: learning how to coach your child through social situations will build trust and connection, making your time together more calm, joyful, and collaborative.

Imagine watching your child finally make a friend—without tears, yelling, or you stepping in. That’s what this program makes possible.

Here's What's Included:

The PROGRAM:

Teach Your Preschooler to Make (and Keep) Friends—in Just 90 Minutes a Week!

A 16-week live parent coaching program (hosted on Zoom, so you can join from anywhere) where you’ll learn:

Exactly how to coach your child through social situations like taking turns, joining in, and handling conflict—using evidence-based tools backed by UCLA’s PEERS® model
How to model and teach emotional regulation, perspective-taking, and cooperation—so your child learns to stay calm, flexible, and kind with their peers
What to say and do in the moment to help your child practise friendship skills without bribes, shame, or time-outs
How to support your child between sessions with simple homework activities and puppet play that reinforce what you’re learning together

THE PRACTICE:

Get Hands-On Feedback That Helps You Coach with Confidence

Each week, you’ll submit a 1–2 minute video of you practising that week’s social skill with your child—so we can see it in action, together.

You’ll record a quick clip of your real-life practice (no fancy setup needed—just your phone is fine!)
Upload your video through our secure system before class
Get personalized coaching and feedback during our next session, so you know what’s working and what to tweak
Feel more confident each week as you sharpen your coaching skills and watch your child make progress in real time
This is where the magic happens—because information is great, but practice with support is what makes it stick.

THE LEARNING PORTAL:

Your Week-by-Week Hub for Coaching Success

Everything you need to stay on track, feel confident, and actually implement what you’re learning—all in one easy-to-access place.

Each week inside the portal, you’ll get:

A Parent Handout + Coached Play Card that walks you through the week’s focus skill and gives you step-by-step prompts to use during play
A Printable Social Storybook to read with your child—written in simple, kid-friendly language to reinforce the skill and make it feel safe and familiar
A Puppet Show Video your child will love watching—designed to model the skill in a fun, accessible way
A Role-Play Video showing exactly how to practise the skill at home (so you’re not guessing what “coaching” looks like)
A Homework Tracker to keep you organized and consistent
A private upload link for submitting your weekly practice video for in-class review and support

By the end of the program, you’ll have a complete parent-friendly coaching manual for teaching social skills— and the confidence to use it.

Ready to give your child the gift of confident connection and friendship?

$ 2480

16 Weeks of Live Parent Coaching with a PEERS for Preschoolers® Certified Provider (90-minute sessions on Zoom)
Weekly Video Review & Personal Feedback on your social coaching skills
Lifetime Access to the Learning Portal
A Parent-Friendly Social Skills Manual you’ll build week-by-week

“At first, I’ll admit—I was a little underwhelmed. The strategies seemed so simple, I wasn’t sure how much impact they’d actually have. But wow… I’ve eaten my words! Over the 16 weeks, I’ve watched my child go from avoiding other kids to confidently starting, joining, and sustaining play with peers. The change has been incredible. I even shared the PEERS parent manual with his daycare—and now the entire class is using the same strategies. His educators have seen a massive improvement across all the kids, not just mine. I recommend this program to every parent who wants their child to thrive socially.”

“We joined PEERS for Preschoolers right in the middle of an international move—and honestly, I wasn’t sure it was the right time. I thought maybe we should wait until we were settled. But I’m so glad we didn’t. Before we started, both of my sons were having a hard time making friends at daycare and preschool. There were constant meltdowns over sharing, and frustration when other kids didn’t want to play their way. Now? The skills we’ve been practising have been crucial as we transition to a new country, new schools, and new social settings. They’ve already made ‘park friends’—something that never happened before—and my youngest’s daycare has even complimented him on his social skills. This program gave us the fresh start we desperately needed.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t make one of the live sessions?

No stress! Replays will be emailed out weekly so you can catch up anytime. You’ll still be expected to complete the weekly practice and submit your video to stay on track.

Do I have to record myself every week?

Yep—and that’s a good thing! The 1–2 minute video you submit each week is how we give you real, personalized feedback on your coaching. No judgment, no fancy filming—just real-life parenting in action. You just need your phone or tablet and something to hold it upright.

Is this just for kids with a diagnosis?

Not at all. This program is designed for any 3–6-year-old who’s struggling with peer relationships, emotional regulation, or social problem-solving—with or without a formal diagnosis.

What if my child refuses to participate?

That’s totally normal at first. The materials (like puppet shows and social stories) are designed to be engaging and playful, and you’ll learn how to make it feel natural without forcing or bribing.

Will this work if my child is non-speaking or has limited language?

Yes! The strategies focus on social connection and play, not just verbal scripts. We’ll help you adapt the coaching to fit your child’s communication style—whether that’s speech, AAC, gestures, or something else.

I’m already so overwhelmed. How much time will this take?

The weekly sessions are 90 minutes. Outside of class, you’ll spend 10–15 minutes a few times a week practising the skill of the week. It’s not about adding more to your plate—it’s about making your current interactions more effective.

Can both parents attend?

Absolutely! Co-parents, grandparents, and caregivers are all welcome—as long as they’re supporting your child and committed to using the coaching strategies consistently. We do ask, however, that at least ONE primary caregiver attend consistently so that there’s continuity week to week.

Is this therapy?

Nope—this is parent coaching, not therapy. You’ll learn how to support your child using evidence-based strategies from the PEERS® model. If your child also has therapists, this can complement that work beautifully.

Will this help with sibling conflict too?

While the focus is on peer relationships, many families find the same skills work wonders at home too—especially when it comes to sharing, turn-taking, and managing frustration between siblings.

What if I don’t see results right away?

That’s totally normal. This isn’t a magic fix—it’s a process. Most families start seeing changes in the first few weeks, but the real magic comes from consistent practice and feedback over time.