Every parent wants their child to have friends, to be successful, to feel comfortable in his or her own skin. But many children lack important social and executive functioning skills that allow them to navigate through the world with ease. Maguire has worked with thousands of families dealing with chronic social dilemmas, ranging from shyness to aggression to ADHD, and more.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [325]-342) and index.

Introduction: why will no one play with me? -- What's the story? -- What's the story? -- Executive function: the brain's ship captain for social navigation -- Parenting with a playbook: you're a natural, coach -- The seven things everyone needs to be able to do to be socially successful -- The coach's playbook : coaching guides, questionnaires and tools -- The eight elements of highly effective social skills coaching -- The processing style questionaire: assessing your child's strengths, interests and processing style -- The executive function questionaire: assessing your child's executive function social skills -- The EFQ lesson tracks at-a-glance, bridge to betterment and how will you know? -- Introducing the play better plan to your child : the interactive conversation guide -- Home advantage: in-home coaching and practice build basic skills -- The play better executive function social skills tracks -- The starter track for everyone! -- Flexible me: flexibility/adaptability -- Mind your peas and cues: reading the room -- Who is your audience? : shifting communication to meet the needs of the audience -- Build on that: friendship communication -- Friendship is a two-way street : how fast do you go? -- Learning to walk in someone else's shoes: taking another person's point of view -- Once was enough: self-regulation -- Never let them see you sweat : emotional regulation -- The play better plan: to playdates and beyond -- The playdate planner: how to line them up and plan them well -- Playdates: coaching from the sidelines -- How'd it go?: debriefing and the post-playdate huddle -- Troubleshooting: how to make the most of snags, setbacks and resistance -- You've got this! -- Acknowledgments -- Appendix -- Playdate observation log -- Playdate planning checklist -- Reward chart -- Social spy badge -- The play better pocket coach -- References -- Index -- About the authors.