As much as parents want to be there for their kids for the smallest of things, they want them to become independent early on so that they can grow up to be high-functioning adults. And how kids respond to social situations at a young age has a huge effect on their next stage of development. This is the reason training on life skills for kids is extremely important.

There are some essential social skills for kids that must be inculcated at a young age to ensure their holistic development. You will certainly notice some pleasant outcomes if you take social skills training for kids very seriously.

People who learn social skills as a child

• Communicate easily and effectively

• Are great at problem-solving

• Make friends easily

• Easily cooperate with others

• Can set and maintain boundaries

• Ask for help when needed

• Express emotions in a healthy way

• Exhibit self-control

• Have a healthy self-esteem

• Make better choices in life

• Can adapt to major life changes

• Are good at resolving conflicts

• Have a positive outlook

There are some essential social skills for kids that they must be taught as early as possible; each one is explained below. You can also find some super effective social skills activities for kids to help them learn faster and with more ease. Read on.

• Following Directions

  A sense of direction is a critical social skill for children, which is similar to following step-by-step instructions without arguing and getting irritated. Here’s how you can teach children to follow directions

  • Play Stop, Wait, Go with your kid by following instructions with them. They will imitate you and eventually understand the instructions.

  • Give simple instructions, such as ‘jump in the air’ or ‘bring a toy’ in a game of Simon Says.

  • Teach instructions with songs.

  • Reward your child for following instructions correctly.

• Using Polite Words

  Teaching polite words is an important part of inculcating communication skills in kids – a super essential 21st-century skill. So, teach them what kindness is and why it matters. Explain to them how people get hurt with rude words. Moreover, use kind words in front of them and encourage them to practice the same.

• Working With Others

  Collaboration is a very critical social skill for kids since it also teaches them how to be good listeners and help others. Here’s how you can have your child work with others

  • Assign Lego activities to your child and some of their friends and explain the ground rules of working in a group.

  • Teach them how to appreciate others who collaborate with them.

  • Involve them when you’re doing chores and show them the importance of teamwork.

• Taking Turns

  Taking turns without conflicts is an important social skill for children that shows courtesy and respect for others. Here’s how you can teach it to kids

  • Encourage your child to participate in games and sports that require taking turns.

  • Teach why it is important not to interrupt the other person when in a conversation.

  • Have them hold a ball or a stuffed toy when it is their turn in a game.

• Good Hygiene

  Teaching good hygiene early on is vital because hygiene is not just about being neat but also about looking sharp and presentable. You can encourage kids to maintain good hygiene by rewarding them for looking presentable and for being clean. Also, set a timetable for daily baths and other hygiene-related tasks; this way, they will know what they should do and check off each task daily to help them get into a habit.

• Being a Good Sport

  Good sportsmanship is one of the most important social skills for kids since it shows acceptance, respect, and kindness. In addition, you can help them regulate their emotions with these simple tricks

  • Play games with your child and make sure they stick to the rules.

  • Every once in a while, don’t let them win.

  • Show them how to learn from the mistakes and encourage them to move on with grace.

  • Teach them how to say ‘congratulations’ when the other person wins.

  • Teach them how to end the game with a handshake.

  • Show them videos on how to be a good sport.

• Sharing

  Sharing is a skill that children must learn early on. This is a sign of respect and kindness. To help your child learn how to share, you can

  • Encourage them to donate a toy every once in a while.

  • Engage them in model sharing and role-play.

  • Create a sharing bin or box for them.

  • Reward their behaviour every time they share.

• Making Eye Contact

  Children who are shy and not used to speaking with others often look at the floor while speaking. If this sounds familiar, correct this behaviour by reminding them to look in the eyes when they speak. But be gentle because shy children can feel anxious.

• Respecting Personal Space

  While children may not understand what personal space is, they can be taught how to behave when meeting people. Teach them

  • Knocking on doors.

  • Keeping their hands to themselves.

  • Not standing too close to people.

• Greeting

  Welcoming others and making them feel respected is an important social skill. So, practice morning greetings with your child and with each other at home since kids tend to see and learn. Also, teach them how to greet teachers, their friends, and new people.

PlanetSpark is on a mission to make kids 21st-century ready with online training programs on different modules from language to social skills. Visit our website https://www.planetspark.in/ and find out how you can unlock your child’s true potential.