Ever wondered why some adults completely lack social skills, even something as minor as empathy? It’s more likely because nobody taught them.
Many parents think their kids will learn social skills on their own as they grow. But that’s not the case.
Teaching them social skills when they are still young will create a strong foundation for their adult life.
So, let’s teach them!
1. Active Listening Skills
If there is one social skill, everyone must have. It’s active listening. Sometimes even adults struggle with it.
We need to focus and properly understand the meaning behind what others are saying. It can be challenging for kids to focus, but active listening can strengthen their receptive language skills.
It can help them handle social interactions, understand gestures, understand what they are reading, etc.
Here’s how to promote active listening skills.
- Hear what they want to say.
- Get the basics right: Make eye contact, put distractions away, etc.
- Teach them to summarize what they heard. “So, what I heard you say is that…”
2. Respecting Personal Space
Kids don’t understand what ‘personal space’ is. As they explore the world around them, they want to touch everything and everyone.
However, that is no excuse not to teach them to respect personal space. Some things are ‘off limits,’ and there are also people who should be kept at arm’s length. So how do we encourage them to respect personal space?
Here’s how to promote boundaries
- Stage conversation or activities that show boundaries. E.g., knock on the door before entering.
- Teach about parts of the body and why not touch them.
- Use stories or videos to help them understand about personal space.
3. Communication
Effective communication is an essential life skill. Better communication will improve your child’s quality of life.
From birth, children begin to communicate. However, as they grow, it becomes increasingly important that they develop and refine their communication skills to speak confidently and clearly.
Better communication skills help them make friends, improve relationships, and communicate with employers in the future.
Here’s how you can help them develop practical communication skills:
- Read books to them. It helps them develop their language and add new words to their vocabulary.
- Help them use polite words. E.g.
- Indulge in the habit of greeting others. E.g., Good morning, Mom and Dad
- Using manners. E.g., thank you, sorry, welcome, etc.
4. Good Hygiene
Good hygiene is a critical skill every kid must learn. People, including children, are more likely to stay around your child if he is clean, well-groomed, and smells nice.
Kids can, however, get dirty and funky at times. And that’s when parents need to teach them how to take care of themselves.
Here are some activities to promote good hygiene skills.
- Discuss germs, where they’re, and how they can harm.
- Use good smelling hygiene products to make it fun.
- Post a hygiene checklist at home. E.g., wash hands before eating, brush teeth two times, etc.
Conclusion
Although every child is different and will learn differently, the skills mentioned above will help them immensely as they grow.
Ultimately, the children are children. It’s your responsibility to teach them the ‘right’ thing as an adult. One can get into the best course of spoken english for kids.
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