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Preschool Groups
Little Brave Steps: Preschool Skills Intensive
A play-based group for socially anxious or shy preschoolers (ages 3–5)
Does your child hang back during playtime, whisper instead of talk, or hesitate to join in at preschool?
You’re not alone — and your child doesn’t have to face those fears alone, either.
Little Brave Steps helps young children build confidence, flexibility, and social courage through gentle, supportive play — while parents learn how to guide bravery at home.
What Makes Little Brave Steps Different
Most social skills or therapy groups focus only on children.
Little Brave Steps involves parents every step of the way — because the biggest changes happen when families learn how to support bravery in daily life.
You’ll join an initial parent session before group begins, where you’ll learn:
What’s really happening when anxiety shows up
How to coach your child toward small, doable brave steps
Ways to respond that build confidence instead of pressure
What Your Child Will Learn
Each week, children practice bravery through structured play, stories, and gentle exposure activities:
Joining in and trying new things
Practice facing worries
Building positive peer experiences
Every activity is led by a licensed psychologist with expertise in child anxiety and early childhood development.
Program Details
Ages: 3–5 years
Includes: 1 parent kickoff session + 4 small-group child sessions
Location: Dandelion Kids, Dormont
Led by: Helena Vaughan, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Fee: $350 total (includes 1 parent session and 4 small group child sessions)
Ready to Help Your Child Take Their Next Brave Step?
✨ Spots are limited to keep groups small and supportive.
Fill out the form to get started, or email helena@behaviormanagementpittsburgh.org
Why an Intensive Program Can Be Worth the Investment
Choosing an intensive, short-term program for your child may feel like a bigger upfront investment — but the benefits often last far beyond the sessions themselves.
Programs like our preschool social skills groups give children the tools they need to build confidence, cope with challenges, and develop independence early. This kind of focused, guided practice can reduce the need for longer-term therapy or repeated interventions later on, potentially saving both time and money while giving your child a strong foundation for success.
Investing in your child’s social and emotional growth today can make tomorrow easier for the whole family.
Can’t make the November group?
That’s okay — new sessions of Little Brave Steps are offered throughout the year!
If you’re interested, please fill out the sign-up form anyway. This helps us learn more about your child and lets us notify you when the next group opens.
