6 important social skills needed to teach children

It is a fact that many parents today are often so diligent about their children's academic results and forget that social skills are really important. Especially, when your child is young, forming these skills for children is to help them build a solid foundation for the future.

Helping your child practice speaking social skills is more important than tutoring your child to get a 10 in school. It is undeniable that paying attention to teaching children social skills from early childhood will help children get good qualities when they grow up.

In this article, aFamilyToday Health wants to share with parents the benefits of allowing children to learn social skills and six important lessons that we need to teach them.

Benefits come from having children learn social skills

There will come a time when our children grow up gradually leaving their home. And imagine that when your child completely lacks the social skills to interact with people, they will inevitably be isolated and put under stress .

Children who tend to be sociable are always more likely to make friends. A 2015 study published in the International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences showed that childhood friendships are good for children's mental health . Friendship also enables children to practice other life skills such as problem solving and conflict resolution.

Good social skills can also help children have a brighter future. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University and Duke University, USA, found that kids who were good at sharing, listening, cooperating, and following rules at the age of five were more likely to enter college than. They also have a good chance of getting good jobs after they graduate.

On the contrary, children lacking these skills are more likely to experience substance abuse , complex relationships, and legal troubles. Sometimes, they even have to depend on the support of the community.

6 essential social skills for children

Fortunately, you can teach your kids social skills. It is never too early to start teaching your children how to get along with people, as well as training them within framework.

Teaching these skills is also how parents are helping and paving the way for their child's future. Here are some important lessons that aFamilyToday Health suggests to you:

1. Lessons about sharing

Getting ready to share a snack or toy can be the quickest shortcut to help your child make friends. According to a 2010 study published in the journal Psychological Science, children as young as two years old may express a desire to share with others, but often only when the things they possess are abundant.

However, children between the ages of three and six often show selfishness when sharing with others. For example, a child with only one cookie might be reluctant to share a half with their friends, because that means they will have less to enjoy. However, this child can easily share a toy that she no longer enjoys.

By about seven or eight, most children gradually become more concerned with fairness and a willingness to share. Overall, studies show that good kids tend to be more inclined to share, whereas the act of sharing also makes them feel like a good kid. Therefore, teaching children to share is also the key to improving their self-esteem .

How to teach children

While you may not want to force your child to share certain toys, you can make it a habit to point out situations that your child needs to share. Give your baby a few compliments, as well as let them know how others feel. Some encouraging statements you can say to your child are: "I am so proud of you!", "It is a good thing to do", "Giving will get more" ...

2. Listen

Listening is not just about keeping quiet, it requires understanding what other people are saying. This is also an important part of building healthy communication.

Furthermore, much of the learning in school depends on the child's ability to listen to what the teacher teaches. If your child is receptive, plus other skills such as noting and analyzing what is being heard will help him or her improve academically.

This social skill is one of the important factors to focus on, especially in the present era, when digital devices are growing strongly, people tend to focus on electric screens. phone, computer but forget how to communicate, listen.

How to teach children

When reading to your child, stop periodically and ask your child to report what you have read. Sometimes your child may stumble, you help him fill in the gaps and encourage him to continue listening. Also, teach children not to interrupt others while they are talking.

3. Lessons about cooperation

Cooperation means working together to achieve a common goal, which is also a very much needed social skill in today's life. Good collaboration skills are essential for successful integration in the community. There are many situations where your child will need to collaborate with classmates on the playground, as well as in the classroom. Cooperation is also an important factor for an adult. A thriving working environment is thanks to the teamwork ability of the staff.

With young children, starting at three and a half years, they will be able to start participating in activities with their peers for a common goal. In children, cooperation can involve anything from building a toy tower together or playing a team game that requires kids to participate. Through these activities, children not only have the opportunity to learn and develop leadership skills, but also have the opportunity to learn more about themselves.

How to teach children

Share with your child about the importance of teamwork, how the job gets done better when everyone is involved. On some occasions, you can take advantage of the opportunity for the whole family to work together, which may be cooking a meal together or a specific job. At the same time, you should emphasize to your child the importance of regular cooperation.

4. Follow the instructions

Following directions is a very important skill that influences children's behavior and behavior in the future. Children who have difficulty following directions are at risk of getting into trouble.

However, before you expect your child to be able to follow directions well, it is essential that you be proficient in giving directions to your child. Don't mix too many requests at once. For example, instead of saying, “Put your shoes on the shelf, clean your books and wash your hands to prepare dinner,” you should wait until your child finishes putting off their shoes and then make the next request.

One mistake to avoid is that you should not ask your request in the form of an optional question, such as: "Can I pick up my toy?". For these types of requests, your child will often understand that they can or can not. When giving directions, wait for them to respond or have them repeat what they have heard from you.

It is normal to have children who are distracted, act impulsive or forget what they have to do. Every time your child makes a mistake is an opportunity to help them sharpen their skills.

How to teach children

Praise your child for following directions by saying something like: "Thank you for turning off the TV for me". If your child neglects to follow directions, give him the opportunity to practice following the simplest requirements. Repeat the same steps as asking and then immediately thank you to encourage your child.

5. Teach children to respect personal space

Some young children seem quite close when they can climb on a bar into other people's laps without concern for their comfort. It is worth mentioning that parents should teach children how to respect people , because this is an indispensable social skill in life.

You can create family rules to direct your children to respect for others, especially personal space. Some recommended rules are: knock on the door before entering anyone's room or not touch what is not yours. You should also impose penalties if the child does not follow the set rules.

How to teach children

Teach your children to stand at arm's length from other people when they talk. When standing in line, talk to your children about not touching people around them. You can role-play in many different scenarios to help your child learn this better.

6. Make eye contact

Eye contact is also a necessary social skill. The thing to do is to teach your child how to look someone in the eye while talking, this is a way to receive and not miss information, as well as dispel any fear and anxiety.

However, some children appear to be quite shy or just stare at the floor or distract themselves from other activities. If your child is in this situation, remind them to make eye contact with the person you are talking to.

How to teach children

Play a game of eye conversation with your child. Ask your child to tell you a story while you stare at the ground, eyes closed, or everywhere except them. Then let your child tell another story and make eye contact while talking. Finally, discuss how the child feels in both situations.

Above are 6 social skills that aFamilyToday Health collected, you should let your child practice regularly for the best results!