No matter your age, making friends can be a challenge. But when you teach social skills to kids, you’ll give them those critical people skills they’ll need even as adults. You can start teaching your kids preschool social skills long before they head off to a classroom setting too.
If you’re not sure where to begin on how to help your toddler develop social skills and make friends, start here with this list of social skills for kids!
Sharing
Sharing is something we all do every day, but for young children, it’s one of the most difficult preschool social skills if they prefer independant playtime. That’s because at this age, children are more focused on their own needs and desires rather than what others need and desire.
While it’s completely normal for young children to be adverse to sharing, it’s an important part of people skills. You can talk about why sharing is a good thing and point out when others are sharing. Playing games with your child that involves sharing is another way to teach social skills, and when you do see your child sharing or taking turns, be sure to praise them for a job well done.
Listening
Even adults have trouble listening! Of all the people skills you can help your toddler develop, this one is critical. Listening helps them answer questions and understand, handle social interactions, and comprehend. In this way, they can respond directly to what was said to them or asked of them and develop healthy communication skills.
Following Directions
Tied in with listening, following directions is another one of those preschool social skills kids need. Teach social skills to your child to listen and follow directions at home is a good way to get them comfortable with the process. As these skills overlap with one another, they will learn that listening and following directions has its own rewards.
However, multi-step directions can be a challenge for little ones, so try not to overload them with a bunch of directions at once. A good way to do it is to provide short command in a positive way and then ask your child to repeat what you said. When they listen and follow directions, be sure to let them know they’ve done a great job.
Collaboration and Cooperation
Just like sharing, collaboration and cooperation gets kids working together. However, it moves beyond sharing objects and into kids helping each other with ideas, stories, and school tasks. Kids working together in a group learn that they can express their ideas while listening to others, and that this is fun. With kids helping each other toward a common goal, they can do more together, and even build friendships that last.
Patience
Patience is one of those people skills that is hardest to teach young children. That’s because most of them have yet to understand the concept of time. You may ask your child to wait a minute for you to assist them, but not 5 seconds later, they’re demanding you help.
It’s normal for small children to lack patience, but it is a social skill the world desperately needs. Patience helps maintain friendships and relationships. It also helps achieve big goals that take an extended period of time to complete. Teaching social skills for kids like this requires a dose of patience for yourself as you show them how good things take time to bring rewards.
Empathy
Another one of those preschool social skills that is challenging to teach little ones is the concept of empathy. This is when we understand and share the feelings of another person, even despite differences. Show empathy in life situations and you’ll find it’s the easiest way for your child to extend grace to others too simply by modeling what you do.
Positivity
Let’s end with one of the social skills for kids that ties them all together – positivity. A positive attitude goes a long way towards making and keeping friends and succeeding at goals. Like empathy, positivity is something kids learn from the way we act. It takes practice to build a positive attitude, especially since you may think that entails never showing anger or sadness.
However, it’s OK to have those negative feelings and kids need to know that. By expressing those negative feelings in a positive way, that’s how we make changes for the better.
Quick Tips on Helping Your Toddler Build People Skills That Last a Lifetime
Small children need a big helping hand when they learn social skills. On the playground or during play dates, be nearby rather than hover. This allows them to try things on their own yet keeps you ready to step in if needed.
Being a good role model at home is another way to bring these social skills for kids into focus for your child. Let your toddler see how you share and take turns with other family members, friends, or even strangers.
Role playing can also help, and makes the lessons you teach more fun for your child. Feel free to use stuffed animals or toys for pretend play as it helps your child learn different points of view and cooperate.
You can do easy crafts together to teach your child to listen and follow directions. Even better, invite some friends from the neighborhood or daycare over to play. It can really do wonders for self-esteem as your child introduces their friends to their things, and helps them all learn how to play nicely together.
Don’t stress if your child hits some bumps in the road along the way to making friends. Simply plant the seeds of people skills into your children and when they’re ready, they will blossom.