From the time your child began to crawl and then to speak, you have been teaching your child social skills. You may not have even realized it, or perhaps you intentionally modeled social behaviors. Either way, children begin to learn important social skills very early. These skills are important tools that your child will use to interact with their world and with others. Important social skills include sharing and cooperation, listening, following directions, using non-verbal cues like good eye contact, and joining in–just to name a few. So how can you help your child develop these skills? Here are 3 things you can do to get them off to a good start:
Asking Questions: the Social Skill of Joining In
Sometimes kids (and adults) struggle to join in a conversation or to keep it going. One way you can help them is by encouraging your child to ask questions. Asking questions is a good way to find out about other people and to show that you are interested. Help your child think of questions to ask that will led to more than a yes or no answer.
Act It Out: Practice That Social Skill
Acting out scenarios, or pretend play, can be a great way to get your child comfortable in certain situations. Think of a common situation and ask your child to choose a character to play, while you play another role. Once you’ve role-played one way, switch roles and do it again. Role-playing can be a great way to help your child solve a challenging social situation or disagreement with a friend.
Be a Good Social Skill Role Model For Your Child
Ok, I said it. Your kids watch everything you do. That may seem like a lot of pressure. However, your behavior is a really great opportunity for them to watch and learn how you handle social situations. Do you tend to be shy too? Enlist the help of outgoing friends and family to help model the social skills you want them to learn.
For more ideas and tips, check out https://www.pbs.org/parents/learn-grow/all-ages/social-skills
Social Skills Groups
As you can see, there are plenty of ways parents can improve their child’s social skills. Give these tips a try, but if you’re looking for further opportunities for your child to practice, social skills groups for kids are another way to learn new tools to get along with others. Look for a group that is appropriate for your child’s age and is limited in size. While your child will need to practice with kids his own age, too many kids can be overwhelming and defeat the purpose. Ideally, groups with 3-5 children work well, while larger groups can be ok for older children and teens. Also, look for groups that meet over several weeks so that your child has a chance to not only learn a new skill but practice it several times. Social skills groups for kids will usually focus on sharing, cooperation, listening, following directions, joining in and so on.
Begin Child Therapy in the Atlanta Area:
If you would like to learn more ways to help your child learn social skills and cope with the challenges they’re facing, we can help. Wellview Counseling in Rosewell, GA has child therapists who are trained to help your child succeed. To begin therapy for your child in the Atlanta area, please follow these steps:
- Reach out to the counseling clinic in Rosewell, GA to schedule an appointment,
- Meet with one of their compassionate child therapists,
- Give your child the gift of therapy and watch them thrive!
Other Services offered at Wellview Counseling:
Wellview counseling, an Atlanta area counseling clinic offers a variety of mental health services to help you or your loved one find healing and growth. Their counseling services include PTSD and trauma treatment, play therapy, child counseling, individual counseling, social skills groups for kids, therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression, trauma and PTSD treatment, chronic illness counseling, family therapy, and positive discipline parent education opportunities. If you cannot visit the Atlanta area counseling clinic, but live in the state of Georgia, please consider online therapy with one of their caring therapists. Contact our Rosewell, GA mental health clinic to learn more about the many ways the counselors at Wellview Counseling can help you, your child, or your teen!
About the Author: Ashley Bobo, LCSW
Ashley Bobo, LCSW provides individual and family therapy to help with anxiety, depression, postpartum depression & anxiety, parent coaching, and other mental health concerns.
Wellview Counseling is now enrolling for social skills groups for ages 5-7 years old. To learn more or to register, call 678-288-6221 or email info@wellviewcounseling.com.