BrainSTARS: Social Skills

Children with weak social skills desire meaningful relationships, but lack the skills necessary to develop and nurture them. The adult task is to observe children as they work and play, identify problems, and teach, rehearse, structure, and praise socially acceptable words and actions.

Use everyday activities

1. Social skills are better learned in small group settings than in large groups.
2. Give verbal feedback about specific behavior (e.g., "I like the way you let John ahead of you in line.")
3. Emphasize and reward manners and politeness.
4. Practice and expect table manners. Make family dinners a priority in your weekly routine.
5. Model appropriate language, treatment of others, and conflict management. Speak to your children courteously and expect them to use manners with others.

Change the environment

1. Use peer buddies as mentors.
2. Create play dates and structured social situations for your child (example: "invite a friend over from 3:00 to 5:00 to make cookies and watch a movie," instead of "have a friend over to play."

Teach new skills

1. Teach your child to understand non-verbal messages by "reading" facial and voice clues, such as difference between "mad, stay-away-from-me faces" and "happy, come-play-with-me faces." Non-verbal signals are very complex, and understanding them will require specific skill building. Involvement in a social skills group is often helpful.
2. Social skills are not learned by punishment of "bad" behavior. Desired social skills must be taught in order to develop. Pick one specific skill (rather than something global) to develop. For example, "practice a phone conversation" vs. "make more friends."
3. Develop "tried and true" routines for everyday situations. For example, develop a plan of action for recess time. Stick to the routine and refine skills through rehearsal and practice. Provide constructive coaching and feedback.
    

See other BrainSTARS articles.