Social Skills Development

Help your child build important social skills for self-discovery, healthy emotional expression and meaningful relationships. Weekly classes focus on topics like empathy, emotions, independence and manners while incorporating movement and play.

Move and Play is a movement-based social skills class for children ages 3–5, where little ones build confidence and connection through obstacle courses, group games, fine motor crafts, and more! Through playful, hands-on experiences, children practice turn-taking, following directions, and working together in a nurturing environment. Class size is limited to five children for individualized support and engagement.

Movement-Based Social Skills is an engaging class for children ages 6–9 that blends agility, coordination, and body awareness with targeted social skill development through active games and group activities. Children will strengthen teamwork, communication, and self-regulation while moving their bodies and having fun with peers. Class is limited to six children to support individualized attention and meaningful peer interaction.

Teachers: Michelle Conley and Tara Brennan are pediatric occupational therapists with extensive experience supporting children in both school and clinical settings. They have also been integral members of the Fast Feet NYC team, bringing their expertise to our adaptive programming and ensuring a high-quality, inclusive experience for all participants.

When: Mondays - July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11

Move and Play Class: 4:45PM - 5:30PM
Movement Based Social Skills Class: 5:45PM - 6:30PM

Where: Fast Feet Community Space, 67 West Street, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: $120 per season (four weeks).

Please Note: Participants should be able to focus on a 10-15 minute tabletop task and demonstrate simple conversational skills.

About Michelle Conley

Michelle Conley is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with five years of experience working in schools across New York City and Hawaii. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from New York University and has also worked in sensory clinics, in-home therapy, and aquatic therapy settings. Passionate about empowering children, Michelle helps them build independence, confidence, and skills in creative and personalized ways. She has worked in the areas of executive functioning, gross and fine motor skills, sensory processing, food exploration skills, handwriting, emotional regulation, interoception, visual perceptual skills, life skills, and social skills. As a former Fast Feet volunteer and running coach in Brooklyn, she has loved guiding children toward their running goals. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys running, reading, surfing, swimming, and sharing good food with friends.

About Tara Brennan

Tara Brennan is a pediatric occupational therapist with five years of clinical experience in NYC schools, hospitals, and home-care settings. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Ulster University, Northern Ireland, and a Master of Public Health from Queens University, Northern Ireland. Having worked in research for both adults and children in the US, she later attended New York University, where she earned her Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy. She is passionate about authentic inclusion in sports, play, and other leisure interests. She has gained experience working with infants, children, and young adults up to the age of 21. Through play, she supports children’s gross-motor, fine-motor, social-emotional, and cognitive development. Having previously coached with Fast Feet Brooklyn and Queens, she appreciates the importance of consistent participation in physical activity with peers whilst having fun. In her free time, Tara loves to read, travel, exercise, find new dessert spots, and hang with her nephews!