In the journey of raising children, building a social personality represents a major challenge for parents. Social children are able to form healthy personal relationships and have the ability to adapt to their surroundings, which reflects their capacity to respond positively to social situations and communicate easily with others. Therefore, it is important to create an environment that supports the development of social skills in children.
On the other hand, it is also important for the mother to realize that each child has their own unique personality. Thus, raising a social child requires an approach that suits their individual character. Mothers can pay attention to their children’s interests and activities and encourage them to participate in activities that expand their circle of friends.
Additionally, some children find it difficult to build good social relationships easily; they may face challenges in social interaction due to factors like shyness or low self-confidence. Therefore, as parents, you need to be able to provide emotional support and guidance to help the child overcome fear or discomfort in some social situations. According to the website "raisingchildren," here are some methods and tips you can apply to your child:
Listening and Paying Attention
Listening attentively can help your child in many ways to develop their social skills. Your young child will learn the importance of active listening when others speak. Paying attention and directly responding to the child’s questions is an important part of healthy communication.
You might also want to explore: Activities to develop listening skills for preschoolers.
Participation in Activities
Children may find it hard to engage in daily social activities because they often focus on their own needs and desires compared to those of others.
However, encouraging children to participate in social activities can help develop their skills by allowing them to build strong relationships with others and show mutual respect. Participation also gives the child an opportunity to express their thoughts while listening to others’ ideas.
Developing Patience
Patience is a valuable social skill for children. Many parents struggle with their children’s lack of perseverance, even though patience is a trait that can be nurtured. It is an essential skill that helps children think critically and find solutions to challenges. Patience gives children a sense of inner peace, strengthens their character, and makes them satisfied with their accomplishments.
Following Instructions
You should give your child clear and age-appropriate instructions. Speak to your child in simple words and give one instruction at a time, especially for children who have difficulty concentrating. Avoid giving a chain of instructions at once, for example: “Please put on your sneakers and bring your lunch from the kitchen table.”
Positive Thinking
Building positive thinking makes it easier for children to develop social skills such as patience, understanding boundaries, listening, and participation. It helps children form friendships, succeed in school, and achieve their goals. The more positive you are in nurturing your child’s social skills — including how they deal with mistakes — the more confident and optimistic they become.
This does not mean the child must be positive all the time. On the contrary, let your child know it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or disappointed sometimes, and provide examples of how to handle these difficult emotions.
Empathy for Others
Empathy is an important skill you can teach your child. It involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Your child will learn to appreciate similarities and differences between their life and those around them. This skill can help your child become more compassionate toward others, regardless of differences.
For younger children, empathy can be developed through small actions. For example, if your child’s friend or sibling is sad because they are playing with a toy, your child could pause and say: “I know you want to play too. Don’t be sad. We can take turns playing!”
It is important to note that empathy does not develop out of nowhere but grows over time through experiences. The best way to foster empathy in children is by modeling it through practical activities.
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