First let us understand what are social skills and what qualities do they include?

Social skills are skills that promote effective interactions with others. There are various social skills as well as several ways in which we interact with people on a daily basis. Social skills include written, verbal, nonverbal and visual interaction used to relay a message to others. Common ways in which you exercise your social skills are:

  • The language you use
  • Cooperating and coordinating in a team
  • Organization skills
  • The way you manage small or big interactions with strangers
  • Your body language
  • Eye contact with others when interacting

What can Parents do at home?

  • Practice Role Playing: Pretend-play, with both younger and older children, is a great way for kids to actively practice their social skills. Have your child pretend to be the person they have difficulty talking to or getting along with. Suggest ways your child can more effectively talk with the individual. Don’t forget to include body language, such as smiling and making eye contact, when advising your child.
  • Teach Empathy :If children have a better understanding of how others feel, they are much more likely to feel connected to other people and form positive bonds. Parents suggest teaching empathy by talking about different situations and scenarios with your child.
  • Know Your Child’s Limits: Some children are simply more social than others. A child who is shy and introverted should not be expected to interact in the same way as a child who is naturally outgoing. Some children are comfortable in large settings, while others find it easier to relate to their peers when in smaller groups.