Interpersonal skills are essential for every facet of life, from education to profession, from relationships and employment. Hence, children need to start learning these from an early age. As they learn and grow, these skills will help them handle situations better, become good decision-makers, and lead a successful life.
Mark Greenberg, PhD, founding director of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center and Emeritus Professor at Penn State University, says: “Building emotional awareness, self-control and relationship skills are master skills. When we nurture them, children do better in all areas of their daily lives, including school.”
What are Interpersonal Skills?
Interpersonal skills are the skills we use every day when we communicate and interact with other people, both individually and in groups. These skills include verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. Effective interpersonal skills play an important role in building and maintaining relationships where we often tend to fail and falter.
In the academic setting, interpersonal communication skills are crucial for a student’s success. Effective communication with teachers and peers facilitates a positive learning environment, boosts confidence and collaboration, and enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
In today’s dynamic environment, classrooms are no longer restricted to academics or where you only learn to get good scores. A holistic education system must focus on imparting key life and social skills to children so that they are better prepared for the present and future than we were.
Let us understand why interpersonal skills should be a part of the school curriculum.
How Does Interpersonal Skills Help Children?
Helps build up Team Work/Team Building Skills
The more kids are comfortable communicating with each other, the better the chances of working in teams and groups. This is a key skill that they would need as are they growing and also in a professional setup.
To bridge the communication gap, various interactive and engaging activities can be planned in the classroom for students to learn Leadership skills, Teamwork, and spirit to complete the task efficiently.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Effective communication is the key to success for any individual. This skill needs to be nurtured from an early age. Various aspects of communication can be addressed with age and grade-specific activities and assignments.
Public Speaking
Public Speaking helps in various ways – from building confidence to vocabulary and articulation. Hence, this should be encouraged more with different types of activities to improve their skills.
This is why schools urge the students to be a part of Skits, Drama, Public Speaking, Debates etc. nurture their skills.
Forming Healthy Relationships
Forming a healthy relationship goes a long way for children and they have to be taught about maintaining good relationships with people from a younger age itself. Relationships are strengthened when there is mutual trust, good communication, effective handling of life situations with confidence, understanding of self-worth, and respecting others. And, each of these can be learned or improved through good interpersonal skills.
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