Social Skills – Let’s Be Friends: Benefits of Social Skill Development – Preschool

Learning is a social experience for scholars and their instructors. Children learn behaviors by observing adults and peers. Children can also teach each other important concepts and skills. Research shows that social skills, problem behaviors, and academic performance are linked. Factors that affect social skills development include missing cues, lack of knowledge, or lack of practice.

Gresham & Elliott define social skills as learned behaviors that help individuals interact positively with others. These skills also help avoid or resolve negative social interactions. Major social skills include communication, cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, engagement, and self-control. Communication skills involve making eye contact and taking turns during conversations. Cooperation includes following directions and classroom rules. Assertion refers to asking for help or questioning unfair rules. Responsibility involves taking ownership of actions and respecting others’ property. Empathy is understanding when others feel sad or upset. Engagement means making friends easily and inviting others to join. Self-control includes staying calm when teased and resolving conflicts by compromising. Developing social skills in children prepares them for healthier interactions throughout their lives. Social skills are essential for functioning within society.

Play-based learning strategies

We believe that good manners, clear communication, and empathy are key to building social skills. Social skills can be learned, just like any other set of skills. We encourage scholars to form bonds, empathize, and adapt in challenging situations.

Children learn their first social skills by watching adults and imitating their behavior. Before entering a classroom, many social skills are already taught at home. In the classroom, children must sharpen these skills through positive interactions with teachers and classmates. At STEM Child Care, we use play-based learning to model and teach social skills. Our teachers use stories, songs, puppets, and games to teach positive interactions. This prepares children to be productive, friendly members of society.

We believe it’s important to teach children key social skills. These include expressing emotions, communicating effectively, listening, working well in groups, showing compassion, and using non-verbal cues.

STEM Child Care – Creating Passionate Lifelong Learners. Enroll Today.

REFERENCES

https://www.worldcat.org/title/social-skills-rating-system-manual/oclc/33025316