Like academic skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills, it is very crucial to teach social skills from an early age. Without this, they will not be able to interact or exhibit any of the above skills.
What are social skills?
As per UNICEF, social skills are life skills and therefore crucial for children to acquire. Kids who cooperate and share with others, who are helpful and empathic, and who are able to regulate emotions in adaptive ways, are generally better off in most social arenas in life, including at school. According to a study, the majority of students attributed great importance to some social skills such as politeness, respect for other points of view as well as confidence and self-esteem.
Why are social skills important for kids?
Studies show that a lack of social skills can lead to poor results in child development. It can hamper their ability to create relationships, affect their adjustment at school, lead to loneliness, and cause behavioral problems in the future. This is why it is important to teach and instill social skills in kids from an early age.
There are several different social skills that are indicative of child development. These include sharing, cooperating, following directions, using eye contact, use of manners, and understanding personal space. These are useful skills that will allow children to be successful in the social world.
Children with higher social skill quotient can form stronger friendships and are more likely to succeed in their education. Research shows that children with better social competence can benefit in many areas. Some of the very important social skills for kids to learn are Listening, Empathy, Sharing, Cooperation, Patience, Respecting Differences, and Positivity.
10 Amazing Books to Help Your Child Learn Different Social Skills
Accepting Differences: 1. Be Who You Are by Todd Parr: The author reminds us that it is the things that make us unique and special.
Studies show that a lack of social skills can lead to poor results in child development. So, social skills need to be instilled in a child from an early age.
2. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes: A lovely story about learning to love what you have.
3. Same Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw: Shares the stories of two boys who, despite living on different sides of the world, have so much in common.
Kindness:
4. What Does It Mean To Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio: A wonderful exploration of kindness in all its forms.
5. The Smartest Giant In Town by Julia Donaldson: A beautiful story about giving selflessly to others in need.
6. Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson: How Mary’s one small act of kindness changed the world.
Facing Fears:
7. Brave as Can Be: A Book of Courage by Jo Witek: An older sister explains to her younger sibling how she outgrew her (common childhood) fears.
8. Courage by Bernard Waber: A lovely exploration of all the different kinds of courage, that we exhibit in our everyday lives.
Sharing:
9. Sharing a Shell by Julia Donaldson: A story exploring the role of sharing in friendship.
10. That’s (Not) Mine by Anna Kang: Two furry creatures want to both sit in the same chair – but they just cannot agree on whom it belongs to.
There are many more wonderful books for young kids about various social skills. You can check this link.
Comments