Your child’s relationships with both adults and fellow children will play a vital role in their overall development, particularly the types of interactions they have. Social skills are important in terms of both academic and personal development, so it’s important for parents to help their children where possible. If you’re unsure how, I have teamed up with a pre-prep school in Hampshire to offer the following advice.
As with any important life lesson that you’re trying to explore with your child, you’ll need to set a good example. When it comes to social skills, you’ll need to demonstrate elements of a healthy conversation in front of your child, so that they can effectively learn from the best. When you’re chatting with a friend, let your child see that listening is just as important as talking and it is rude to interrupt.
If they find social interactions quite intimidating, it might help them to learn some conversation starters. Teach them that asking questions and paying someone a compliment are always great ways to begin a conversation with someone. For instance, they could say “I love your shoes, where did you get them from?” or “What did you do this weekend?”.
They should also understand how to read body language and facial expressions. Explain to them that sometimes people don’t always use words to express their emotions. For instance, if someone is angry they might slam a door or yell. If someone is sad, they might cry. If your child can determine how someone is feeling based on their body language and behaviour, they will learn how to respond in a suitable manner.
Try and familiarise your child with social situations as early as possible so that they become comfortable with speaking to others and meeting new people. Be sure to invite their little friends round on a regular basis for playdates but also introduce them to adults as well. You could suggest that they join a sports club or other type of extra-curricular activity, where they will meet lots of new people, outside of their usual social circle, who have similar interests to them.
If you are worried about your child’s social skills, speak to their teachers as they might be able to help. They will be able to keep an eye on your child and encourage them to speak up in class as way of boosting their confidence, as well as arranging alternative seating plans so that they learn to interact with different children.