Many children age seven and under who struggle with social skills-especially those with autism issues, find themselves perpetually on the sidelines, in timeout, or ignored by their peers in school and on the playground. It's incredibly painful and worrisome for their parents to witness, but fortunately, they are not powerless to help their kids improve their social IQ.

Introduction -- Social climbing : seven rungs to making friends -- Rung 1. see me seeing you : joint attention -- Rung 2. emotions : do you feel like i do? -- Rung 3. imitatio n: can you do what i can do? -- Rung 4. why you need seniors, babies and pets : early perspective taking -- Rung 5. why kids are lousy at hide & seek : theory of mind and dramatic play -- Rung 6. Narratives : auntie lou won't stop talking -- Rung 7. "Use your words" to stop bossy ruby : executive function and its role in -- Developing social conflict resolution -- How to create a more even playing field : using visual strategies to support executive functioning and social skills -- Wrap-up of part 1: social skills for the first seven years -- Taylor-made tools for recess success -- Getting ready for recess -- "Speed play dating" and other tools to help make friends -- How to make a better ant trap : entry into play -- The economics of ice chunks -- Shine a little light in dark places : when you need more information -- When you want more answers : where to go and who to go to -- References -- Acknowledgements -- Index.