San Diego Kids First

08/24/2026

08/20/2026

Little Social Skills Group
Mondays | 5:00–6:30 PM
4-week sessions | August–October
$760 per 4-week session
Interested in learning more? Reach out to our team for more information about upcoming groups.

“After more than 20 years working with children and families, I have seen firsthand how important social skills are to a child’s confidence, self esteem, friendships, and success at school—and how much easier it can be to build these skills when we start early.

We sometimes assume that children will simply learn social skills through exposure: more play dates, more time with peers, and more opportunities to “figure it out.” But for many children, exposure alone isn’t enough. They need intentional teaching, guidance, and opportunities to practice these skills in real interactions with other children.

This is why early intervention matters. When children learn to communicate, join play, take turns, manage emotions, navigate conflict, and develop friendships while they are young, we are giving them a foundation they can build on for years to come.

Our Little Social Skills Group is designed to provide exactly that—a supportive environment where children can learn, practice, and build confidence through play and real connection with peers.

I’m so excited to offer this opportunity to help our youngest learners build these important skills early! “

Dr. Deborah Pontillo, PhD
Director, San Diego Kids First
Co- Director , San Diego Behavior Solutions

08/20/2026

Little Social Skills Group
Mondays | 5:00–6:30 PM
4-week sessions | August–October
$760 per 4-week session
Interested in learning more? Reach out to our team for more information about upcoming groups.
A Note from Dr. Deb
After more than 20 years working with children and families, Dr. Deb has seen firsthand how important social skills can be to a child’s confidence, self-esteem, friendships, and success at school.
We sometimes assume that children will simply learn social skills through exposure — more playdates, more time with peers, and more opportunities to “figure it out.” But for many children, exposure alone isn’t enough. They may need intentional teaching, guidance, and opportunities to practice these skills in real interactions with other children.
When children learn to communicate, join play, take turns, manage emotions, navigate conflict, and develop friendships while they are young, we are giving them a foundation they can continue to build on for years to come.
That’s the heart behind our Little Social Skills Group — a supportive environment where children can learn, practice, and build confidence through play and real connection with peers.
We’re so excited to offer this opportunity to help our youngest learners build these important skills early!
— Dr. Deborah Pontillo, PhD
Director, San Diego Kids First
Co-Director , San Diego Behavior Solutions

07/07/2026

Summer is a wonderful time to begin.
Whether you’ve been thinking about therapy, social skills groups, parent support, or an evaluation, summer offers a great opportunity to get started before the busy school year begins.

✨ New to our clinic? Ask about our complimentary 15-minute clinician consultations to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and learn about available services.
Contact us today to learn more. We look forward to connecting with your family!

07/07/2026

🎒 Ready, Set, Kinder! 🎒
The transition into Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten is a big milestone for both children and parents! Our Ready, Set, Kinder! program is designed to help children build the confidence and foundational skills they need for a successful start to the school year.
📅 August 3-6
⏰ 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Led by Nicolette Boucher, BCBA
Give your child a fun, supportive head start before the first day of school!
📞 Contact us today to learn more or reserve your spot.

06/24/2026

Starting therapy or support services can feel overwhelming knowing where to begin is often the hardest part.

SDKF is now offering complimentary 15-minute clinician consultations for new clients and families. This is an opportunity to connect directly with a member of our clinical team, discuss your concerns, and learn more about available services and recommendations.
Our goal is to help families feel supported and connected to the right resources from the very beginning. 🤍

📞 Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

04/28/2026

You don’t have to figure it out alone.�PCIT gives you in-the-moment support to navigate big behaviors with confidence.
Now available virtually�Reach out to learn more 🤍

04/17/2026

Navigating early childhood behavior can feel overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone
Join us for a FREE virtual Lunch & Learn where we’ll share practical, real-life strategies you can actually use.
🗓 Friday, April 24�⏰ 12 PM�💻 Virtual
Led by Hilary Pincolini, BCBA, M.Ed and Dr. Deborah Pontillo
✨ Understanding & Supporting Early Childhood Behavior
We’d love to have you join us!
Reach out for details or RSVP