Have you ever noticed how preschoolers are like little sponges, soaking up everything around them? Well, this is the time when social skills are to be instilled in them to last a lifetime. Social skills are not just indispensable in making friends or resolving disputes but for moving about confidently in the world at large. Let us proceed and learn what social skills are, their importance for preschool children, and how you can help your child develop the crucial ability in this very area.
Understanding social skills in children
Social skills are essentially the abilities that we use to communicate and interact with other people. For children, social skills are the foundation of friendships with peers, being able to work in harmony with them and even being able to understand everyday norms. This starts from sharing, taking their turns to say how they feel, and being sensitive towards others. They are seen as the base laid for further positive relationship and fruitful interactions during life journey
Social Skills to Teach Preschool Children
Sharing and Taking Turns: Sharing toys with others and taking turns is the beginning of creating great friends and friendships.
Expressing Emotions: The ability to express feelings in a healthy way enables children to cope with their emotions and develop appropriate relationships with people.
Empathy: Understanding and caring about someone else’s feelings. It brings in close, supportive relationships.
Conflict Resolution: One of the most important life skills that the child should be taught is how to resolve a conflict without fighting.
Some Ways in which Social Skills can be Built
Model Good Behaviour: Children are copy-cats. They observe what adults are doing and copy that behaviour. Learn how to play nice, to listen well, and to work problems out without getting frustrated.
Plan Playdates: Make a more considerable effort to have other children over to play with yours so that they learn social skills. Joint play helps children learn how to share, take turns and also cooperate.
Role-Playing: Create opportunities for your child to practise the skills in different situations. You can role play situations like sharing a toy, asking to join a game, expressing emotions… Read books which deal with social situations are very useful. Describe what the characters did and how they felt, and ask your child what he/she would do if these situations happen to him/her.
Praise Positive Social Interactions: Note and praise your child when they use the right social skills. Such reinforcement tends to increase further use of the behaviour.
Encourage Empathy: Help the child see things from another point of view. If their friend is crying, ask them what they thinks the friend might be feeling and what they could do to make things right.
Play Games and Activities: Play cooperative games and activities like board games, construction, and team sports.
Be Patient and Consistent: Social skills take time to develop. Be patient and consistent with guidance and support.
Dr. Swati Vats, co-founder of Podar Prep, says, “A lot of learning has to take place in the very early years if children are to develop social skills that will help them make meaningful relationships in life.” She comments further that children who learn these skills early are those better prepared to handle social situations and build up meaningful relationships. The atmosphere should be such that it is easy on the child’s self-esteem, and he or she should feel comfortable expressing himself or herself and interacting with others.
At Podar Prep, we focus on certain aspects of development of social skills into the day-to-day activities, so the child learns to handle such situations confidently and gracefully. Since these skills are developed in the child at a nascent stage, it ensures a future full of good relationships and successful interactions.
Want to ensure that your child will develop strong social skills? Enrol in Podar Prep today and give your child the best start in life!
