3 Tips For Parents: Children and Social Skills
Technology has an impact on the current landscape of children and their social skills. With numerous social-networking sites out there, your child can have thousands of friends online without having to leave their home or open their mouth. Be aware of what your kids are doing online and strive to incorporate offline time into their schedules to help them develop their sense of self.
As your child grows, they will have the opportunity to experience new social environments frequently and will unconsciously be affected by numerous individuals, including teachers, counsellors, peers and other parents. Making a point of showing them how to interact with others from a young age will go far to assist them with this process in the future. Helping your child to develop a sense of self, being a positive role model to them and encouraging your child’s participation in group activities will help them to effectively develop their social skills.
1. Help Your Child Develop A Sense Of Self
Allow them to share their thoughts, encourage friendly dinner table talk and never shut down what you child has to say, although it may seem insignificant at the time, your child believes it to be important so make sure to listen. Listening to your child will help them develop confidence in knowing what they say is of value.
2. Be A Positive Role Model
Children learn acceptable behaviour from whom they spend the most time with; usually this is parents or the caregivers of the child. Be the positive role model by encouraging your child to ask questions while giving them the support that they need.
3. Encourage Your Child’s Participation In Group Activities
Foster your child’s drive to succeed by encouraging them to participate in group activities. Group activities are a fantastic way for your child to meet others and to be involved in forming friendships with those that have common interests. This is a great opportunity for your children to socialize in a safe and positive environment.
Like all things, the process of communication takes time to develop and nurture. Your children’s natural personality traits will flourish if you provide them with a supportive environment to do so. Encouraging confidence in your child will allow them to adapt to diverse social situations and provide them with the social skills to succeed in their future.
Originally adapted from Help Your Children Develop Social Skills, Annual Guide To Schools Magazine.
