Social skills are some of the most important traits children and adolescents develop. Research shows that these skills serve as predictors of future success. A 20-year retrospective study found that youths who displayed sophisticated social traits were more likely to graduate from college and/or acquire well-paying jobs in the future. In early childhood, social interaction helps children develop a sense of self and learn what others expect from them in various situations. Additionally, strengthening a child’s ability to socialize teaches him or her to share, set boundaries, and problem-solve more effectively, resulting in higher self-confidence in his or her abilities to take on and complete complex tasks more successfully.
The full range of social skills needed to succeed may not develop naturally in all children, but they can be taught. There are many types of social skills, and so, it is important to know the area in which your child needs help. The following are the four main types of social skills with examples as identified by the National Association of School Psychologists:
- Survival skills: Listening to pertinent information, ignoring distracting behavior, and following directions.
- Interpersonal skills: Sharing, joining a conversation, and taking turns talking.
- Problem-solving skills: Asking for help when needed, deciding on an appropriate action, accepting consequences, and recognizing when to apologize.
- Conflict resolution skills: Dealing with teasing and bullying and handling losing or ‘being a good sport.’
At K.B. Gymnasium we recognize that laying a foundation for socialization and problem solving is absolutely crucial at a young age. Engagement of others is one of the core principles of our A.M.P.E.D.U.P philosophy.
A.M.P.E.D.U.P Challenge:
Identify several social skills that your child has already mastered and several that he or she may need support to develop. Then, report back to the blog series for our next post on Engagement of Others. We will provide helpful tips and strategies to expand upon your child’s quickly developing social toolkit!
Remember to check back for additional posts that build on engagement of others, one of K.B. Gymnasium’s A.M.P.E.D.U.P superpowers.
