Social skills are a fundamental skill for children to learn when it comes to interacting and getting along with others. Being able to work on this skill at a young age is important because as children grow older their social lives will grow and become more complex.
There are different types of social skills. Survival skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, and conflict resolution skills.
Survival skills
include listening, following directions, ignoring distractions, using nice
language.
Interpersonal skills
include sharing, asking for permission, taking turns.
Problem-solving skills
include helping others, deciding what to do, accepting consequences.
Conflict Resolutions skills
include dealing with teasing, being left out, losing at a game.
Building on social skills early will instill confidence, positivity, less anxiety in a new situation and give children the ability to interact with others easily.
To be able to teach these skills at home the following techniques can be used:
1. Be a role Model:
Kids will do as they see rather than what you say. Being mindful of your own
behaviour and habits in the presence of your children is important. If you have
a sticker system for anytime a child demonstrates an undesirable behaviour,
such as shouting or not sharing, ensure that all family members take part in
this and that they do get stickers taken away.
2. Focus on a Couple Skills at a Time:
Children will not be able to master every skill all at once. It is important to
work on one thing at a time so that your child can master the skill or social
behaviour. Once they have it down pat ensure that you praise them and focus on a different skill.
3. Practice!
Mastering a new skill or behavior takes practice and patience! Be prepared to
have to repeat yourself, give many opportunities to practice the skill and
model the desirable behaviour.
4. Model the desired skill or behaviour you wish to see: For a child to know what
skill they need to work on they need to be able to have a clear instruction on
how the behaviour should look. For example, if you are wanting your child to
start sharing with their sibling ensure that you are modeling that behaviour
with them.
5. Get involved in outside activities: Being involved in a team activity or
program can help your child build on their social skills. This is a great way
for them to learn how to work together and cooperatively with others. Examples
include taking part in a sport, girl and boy scouts, participating in one of
The Hub’s early learning programs.
Sources:
Social Skills: Promoting Positive Behavior, Academic Success, and
School Safety. (2002). Retrieved October 14, 2014 from the National Association of School
Psychologists
Kennedy-Moore, Eileen. What are social skills? (2011, August 18).
Retrieved October 14, 2014 from Psychology Today