Social Skills

 

    Many people take social skills for granted and are quick to judge when children do not demonstrate them appropriately. Social skills are in fact one of the most important skills a person can have. They affect communication, friends, getting needs met, advancing in careers, and leading a fulfilling life. These skills are not inherent to individuals, and in some cases need to be taught more explicitly than in others. As teachers it is easy to forget the importance of social skills and focus all most of your attention on acadmic skills, however, without having strong social skills, it will be difficult for children to succeed academically.

    Social skills are vital to a student’s development and proficiency in these areas can greatly increase their achievements. Some of the main social skills are: eye contact, listening, the ability to remain relaxed, good manners, conversation, empathy, and cooperation.

    Social skills can be learned at any age and students should be taught the importance of having good social skills. Teaching of these skills can be incorporated into various tasks and subjects in the classroom. Some basic techniques to teach these skills are through brainstorming activities, modeling, and mirroring. Teachers are among the most visible role models for students and should remember to do their best exemplifying good social skills. For example, if a teacher wants his/her students to be polite, s/he should be sure to use kind words and say please and thank you so that children can see the behavior and learn from the modeling.

    NOTE: Before undertaking the teaching of these social skills please be sure to be mindful of student's individual cultures and backgrounds so that the lessons taught are not in opposition to those taught and valued at home.

 

 

 

Curricula, Acitivities, Evaluations, and Info:

 

Teaching Social Skills to Kids Who Don't Have Them

 

Teaching Social Skills

 

Making (and Keeping) Friends: A Model for Social Skills Instruction

 

Teaching Social Skills (Middle School)

 

 

 

Books/Materials for purchase:

 

Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child: New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial SkillsBy:Ellen McGinnis and Arnold P. Goldstein

This book shows how to teach 60 prosocial skills such as asking for help, saying thank you, accepting consequences, using self-control, and dealing with group pressure. Skill areas are divided into five groups: Classroom Survival Skills, Friendship-Making Skills, Dealing with Feelings, alternatives to Aggression, and Dealing with Stress.

 

Model Me Kids 

Model Me Kids® videos demonstrate social skills by modeling peer behavior at school, on a playdate, at a birthday party, on the playground, at a library, restaurant, and more. Children model and narrate each skill.

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