Ways to Foster Healthy Social Skills in Children

Social skills begin to develop from the moment we are born, through interaction with parents. However, our lives are often more complex and so are our connections and our expectations. That is why it is the duty of parents that children can adopt good social habits to keep them in the adulthood.

It’s not just about the amount of time your child spends with others what teaches him proper social skills, there are three key elements that your little one must learn to foster healthy communication with others: self-control, empathy and verbal communication. It is necessary to guide children in the direction when it comes to positive interactions with others.

Teach your child about feelings and empathy

If your child doesn’t understand how their behavior affects others , you probably don’t see a reason to act differently. Not only will he learn empathy but he will also lessen the chance that you will act negatively towards others. Also, it can help your child appreciate others and be appreciated by them when they understand how they may feel at all times.

One way to help your child develop Empathy is talking about your feelings. Ask them what makes them happy and what makes them sad and why. Explain that emotions are normal and what triggers them. Your child will be better able to learn coping skills if he understands his own feelings.

Be a good example of positive emotions

As adults we have bad days and there will be times when you feel irritable, it’s normal. However, you must have a good ability to keep emotions under control and thus be able to guide the behavior of your children by your example. If your child does something you don’t like, you can explain why it’s wrong instead of yelling.

Children imitate our behavior from a very young age. At an early age, the way we react to situations and the way we treat others have a huge impact – positive or negative – on the way children learn to interact with others. It is You need to be a good role model and positive emotions for your child to learn good lessons for life.

Healthy social skills in children

Be their guide

You should be their best guide, always thinking about their age your children. Parents will need to identify their child’s stage of social development in order to positively influence their children. While each child develops at their own pace, there are social cues that children pick up and learn to improve -or not- social skills.

For example, a child A 2- or 3-year-old may be able to say hello and goodbye, while a 5- or 6-year-old is able to set limits for behaviors they don’t approve of. Another example is that from the age of 7, children will begin to learn empathy.

Identify any emotional or social problems

You can do everything in your power to be able to encourage positive social behavior in your child, but they still might not get along with others. If this type of pattern persists, your son will need extra help determining if she has a social disorder, for example, by taking her to the pediatrician. Depending on the needs of your child, different actions should be taken into account.