We all have heard the popular saying that “humans are social animals” who cannot live in isolation or loneliness. It is especially true for children! From learning to communicate to navigating friendships, social skills are the foundation for a child’s ability to connect with the world around them. We rely and depend on each other more than we know.
Every interaction your child has with their environment, from playing with friends to observing adults, teaches them valuable social skills. Social skills are like muscles, they get stronger with practice. Through daily interactions, children learn to communicate effectively, understand body language, and build meaningful relationships.
Social skills also encompass cooperation, empathy, problem-solving, and emotional interactions, which form the foundation of healthy social interactions. This development and refinement of social skills in the early years are significant in molding children’s ability to manage relationships, collaborate with peers, make friendships, socialise in educational settings, and participate in community activities. This would pave the way for them to be confident and joyful adults, with improved mental health, because of the strong social connections that help prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.
While many children benefit from continuous exposure to social settings, the onus is on the caregivers around a child to teach them appropriate social behaviour. Motivating them to participate in activities they enjoy will make them more comfortable interacting with others who share their passions. Helping children learn to initiate and maintain conversations by encouraging them to ask open-ended questions is another way to sharpen their social skills. We could also encourage young children to understand and consider the feelings of others while practicing active listening. This allows children to learn about their emotions and understand those of others. It also helps them learn self-regulation, expression, and modulation, shaping their behaviours and proclivities.
Research indicates that a lack of social skills can negatively impact child development, leading to difficulties in forming relationships, adjusting to school, feelings of loneliness, and future behavioural problems. Children with higher social development tend to form stronger friendships and are more likely to succeed academically. Studies also reveal that children with better social competence experience several benefits, including:
- Being twice as likely to attend post-secondary education
- Higher likelihood of earning a high school diploma
- Lower chance of getting into trouble with the law
Parents and caregivers must understand that they are the biggest influencers in their young child’s life. Therefore, it is crucial to capitalise on the early years and set a winning foundation that can help them navigate their professional and personal lives in future.
What Do Social Skills Look Like in Early Childhood?
Between ages two and three, children enjoy imitating others, especially older children, and adults. They love interacting with their peers and get excited when meeting new friends. They also tend to exhibit behaviours that contradict instructions. Although the “terrible twos” can spark some mischievous behaviour, they become more independent. They begin to display a broader range of emotions, including empathy and affection toward friends.
Between the ages of three and four, children begin to build confidence as they start performing tasks on their own. At this stage, they often share toys, take turns, engage in pretend play, follow simple game rules, and exhibit increased independence. They might also become bossy or defiant and often form a close bond with one friend.
As children progress to the ages of four and five, they develop a stronger sense of individuality. They form friendships, compare themselves to others, understand others’ thoughts and feelings, and collaborate with peers to create games. They also start to grasp the concepts of right and wrong and learn to listen while others are speaking. These social behaviours are essential for future social interactions and personal growth.
Between the ages of five and six, children develop several important skills. They learn to follow daily routines, take turns, and understand directions. At this age, they grasp the concept of humour and can explain the cause and effect of their emotions. They are aware of how their behaviour might affect others in different settings. Additionally, they can speak clearly in most conversations, and others can easily understand what they are saying.
How To Gradually Nudge Your Child’s Growing Social Skills?
Focus On the Child’s Interests
Children find it easier to enjoy the company of others when they engage in activities they genuinely love. Whether it’s playing a favourite sport, an instrument, or joining a club, these activities help develop social skills. They also place the child among like-minded peers, making them feel more comfortable. Although learning to socialise with people who have different interests is important, starting with those who share similar passions is an excellent way to build social skills.
Encourage Questions
When children become nervous or a conversation stalls, they may become more introverted and struggle in future social situations. A UNICEF Parenting article suggests several methods to help children start and maintain positive communications. One key approach is to ask questions. To learn about others and form connections, children should ask questions that specifically relate to the person they are talking to. Encourage your child to ask open-ended questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer.
Consider the Child’s Limitations
Some children are naturally more social than others. A reserved child should not be expected to interact in the same way as an outgoing child. While some children are comfortable in large groups, others find it easier to connect with peers in smaller settings. It’s also crucial to recognise a child’s time limits. Younger children and those with special needs may only feel comfortable socialising for an hour or two.
Prioritise Free Play
Young children learn best through play and imitation, especially in early childhood. If you live in an area with other children around, let your child go out and play. Giving a child plenty of free time to play allows them to develop many social skills, including language proficiency, collaboration, creative thinking, and conflict resolution. It also offers them a much-needed break from adult supervision and structure.
Notice Personality Differences
Every child is unique. A child who is slow to communicate may seem unfriendly compared to a more social child, but they are just as eager to be included. Parents and caregivers should affirm a child’s personality, allowing them to be comfortable in their own skin. It’s important not to force a quiet child to socialise or ask an outgoing child to sit silently. Instead, compliment their personality and reassure them.
Teach Them the Art Of “Putting Yourself in Another’s Shoes”
Fostering empathy can take time. Preschoolers are perhaps more ready to understand this complex quality compared to younger children. However, parents can start fostering empathy in small ways from the beginning. When children understand how others feel, they are more likely to connect with people and form positive relationships. Discuss various situations and scenarios with your child and ask how others might feel in each case. Cultivating empathy also involves helping children learn to actively listen to others. This means focusing on what others are saying and reflecting on it after the conversation ends.
Dibber’s Role in Crafting a Valuable & Joyful Childhood for Children
At Dibber, it is believed that the first few years of a child’s life sets the stage for all future growth. Therefore, it is essential to craft joyful initial experiences for children. Dibber emphasises an atmosphere that nurtures their overall development and encourages their ability to form relationships. A setting that fosters interaction, exploration, and experimentation plays a crucial role in this developmental process, offering an optimal environment for growth in the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive areas.
Dibber is Northern Europe’s largest early childhood education provider with 600+ schools in 9 countries. Headquartered in Norway, Dibber has over 2 decades of experience in the early education space. Dibber’s growth in the MENA+ region has been significant, and they hope to touch the lives of many more children in the years to come.
Visit our Centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi