How Can Kids Build Social Skills?

Written By Kimberley Arnett-DeSimone

How can kids build social skills? Let’s talk about making friends, having successful play dates, sharing and chatting with others, and getting along. Parents play a big part in shaping our children’s social abilities. Let’s explore how to support and lay the foundation for our little ones’ social success so they shine like the bright stars!

Get to Know Themselves

First off, let’s help our kids get to know themselves better. Imagine this as an adventure of self-discovery! Talk with them about what they like, what they’re good at, and what makes them unique. It’s like a treasure hunt, and the treasure is understanding themselves. This self-awareness is like a superpower they can use to make good choices and connect with others. Help them make an “All About Me” collage or poster showing who they are and celebrating their uniqueness.

Being a Good Listener

Being a good listener is an essential skill to develop for future social success. It’s like tuning into your favorite song on the radio. Encourage your kids to give their full attention when someone talks to them. Show them how to make eye contact, nod in agreement, and ask questions to show that they’re interested in the conversation. You can practice this at home during family chats and interactions. Listening with the whole body involves focusing the eyes and ears on the speaker while quieting the rest of the body: hands, feet, and racing thoughts. Listening with your heart means putting down what you are playing with and giving someone your full attention because you care. They will notice and have a positive thoughts about you for giving the gift of your full attention.

Feeling and Sharing Emotions

Emotions are like colorful puzzle pieces that make up the big picture of our feelings. Teach your kids about emotions, not just their own but others too. Let them know that it’s perfectly okay to feel happy, sad, or even a bit grumpy sometimes. Encourage them to share their feelings and empathize with their friends’ emotions. It’s all about understanding the feelings of the people around them.

Making and Keeping Friends

Making friends is like finding hidden treasures. Encourage your kids to be themselves and seek friends who share similar interests. Once they make friends, they can treat them with kindness and be there when they need a buddy. Friends can be precious gems in our lives, so we need to appreciate “true” friends by considering their ideas and preferences as equal to ours.

Setting and Respecting Boundaries

Boundaries are like invisible lines that help our kids feel safe and comfortable. Show them how to set boundaries by letting them know it’s okay to say “no” if something makes them uneasy. And don’t forget to teach them that it’s important to respect others’ boundaries too. It’s all about finding that balance where everyone feels good.

Boosting Confidence

Confidence is like a superpower that helps our kids feel strong and amazing. Let’s remind them to believe in themselves and their abilities. Celebrate their wins, big and small, and let them know they’re incredible just as they are. With our support, they can tackle social situations with confidence.

Networking for Kids

Networking might sound like a grown-up thing, but it’s like making new friends for our little ones. Encourage them to meet new kids, join clubs, and participate in events. These experiences help them build connections and develop the social skills they’ll need. Plus, they learn the value of teamwork and collaboration.

Gratitude and Kindness

Teach your kids to sprinkle kindness and gratitude like confetti. Saying “thank you” and showing appreciation for the kindness of others is a fantastic habit. They can even write thank-you notes to express gratitude for gifts or nice gestures. It’s like sharing smiles and happiness with the people around them.

Learning Never Stops

Let’s remind our kids that learning is an ongoing adventure. Social skills are like those cool video games they enjoy – they level up with practice and experience. Give them fun resources like books, videos, and activities to help them become social rock stars. Learning is a journey, and there’s always room for improvement.

As parents, we specialize in helping our kids achieve social success. By teaching them self-awareness, active listening, emotional intelligence, and other essential social skills, we’re setting them up for a lifetime of awesome connections and confident interactions. So, let’s get started on this incredible journey together!

Kimberley Arnett-DeSimone, a career pediatric occupational therapist in Huntersville, North Carolina, authored this post.

Featured
Tips For Finding Playdates For Your Child
Parenting, Social
Tips For Finding Playdates For Your Child
Parenting, Social

Finding appropriate playdates for young children involves consideration of safety, compatibility, and opportunities for social growth. My first concern when suggesting any new social setting for your child, is safety. This means you are always with your child when they are being asked to meet new people, keeping them within a hugs reach of feeling secure as they venture out.

Parenting, Social
Games and Activities to Promote Social for Kids
Social
Games and Activities to Promote Social for Kids
Social

"Games and Activities to Promote Social Interaction and Communication,"

Here's a list that can help parents, caregivers, and therapists engage children in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways. These activities are designed to enhance social skills, improve communication, and encourage positive interactions among children.

Social
How Can Kids Build Social Skills?
Social
How Can Kids Build Social Skills?
Social

How can kids build social skills? Let’s talk about making friends, having successful play dates, sharing and chatting with others, and getting along. Parents play a big part in shaping our children’s social abilities. Let’s explore how to support and lay the foundation for our little ones’ social success so they shine like the bright stars!

Social
Social Anxiety: Effective Strategies to Help Your Child Thrive
Social
Social Anxiety: Effective Strategies to Help Your Child Thrive
Social

Social anxiety can make social situations seem daunting and overwhelming. It’s a common challenge for many, but it doesn’t have to stand in the way of a fulfilling life. With the right strategies, social anxiety can be managed and overcome. This post will explore effective strategies to help you address social anxiety and thrive in social situations.

Social
Emotional Intelligence: A superpower for both kids and adults!
Social
Emotional Intelligence: A superpower for both kids and adults!
Social

Emotional intelligence is a crucial skill for children to develop, as it helps them navigate the complexities of social relationships, cope with stress, and develop resilience in the face of adversity. Parents and educators can help children become well-rounded individuals equipped to handle life’s challenges by promoting self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. We can empower children to recognize and manage their emotions, connect with others, and achieve their goals through open communication, problem-solving strategies, and positive modeling. By investing in children’s emotional intelligence, we are investing in their future success and happiness.

Social
What Does Social-Emotional Learning Mean?
Social
What Does Social-Emotional Learning Mean?
Social

Social-emotional learning and development are influential in designing our lives, affecting our relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. To understand what SEL means, we will look at 5 components of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.* This exploration will delve into the intricacies of social-emotional development, its impact on our lives, and the strategies to nurture it effectively.

Defining So

Social
Teach Your Child to Show Kindness: 10 Practical Ways
Parenting, Social
Teach Your Child to Show Kindness: 10 Practical Ways
Parenting, Social

Kindness is a quality that can transform lives, mend relationships, and create a more compassionate world. As parents, one of our most important responsibilities is to teach our children to show kindness. Teaching them to be kind not only benefits their social development but also contributes to a more harmonious society.  Kindness is more than just a warm and fuzzy feeling; it's a fundamental aspect of human interaction that has a profound impact on individuals and communities. Here are some reasons why teaching kindness to your child is beneficial:

Parenting, Social
Social Skills for Kids: Learning in Group Situations
Social
Social Skills for Kids: Learning in Group Situations
Social

Learning takes place in various settings, including schools, homes, and communities. One of the most effective and dynamic ways for children is learning in group situations. Group learning offers numerous advantages, such as promoting collaboration, enhancing social skills, and fostering a sense of belonging. However, for a child to thrive in a group learning environment, several key factors must be considered and nurtured. In this article, we will explore what it takes for a child to learn as part of a group and how parents, educators, and communities can support this process.

Social
Seven Places in Huntersville, NC for Kids to be Social
Local, Social
Seven Places in Huntersville, NC for Kids to be Social
Local, Social

It seems like “good old” public or private school would be the only place that kids need to meet other kids, but oh how that is not the case. With so much academic and social pressure in our private and public schools today, it’s more than a challenge for kids to create meaningful friendships in the random chaos that is the school playground or campus, especially for the sensory-sensitive child.

Local, Social
Kimberley Arnett-DeSimone
Previous

Building Your Child’s Self-Confidence
Next

Is Your Child Clumsy?