Children need to learn people skills at an early age so they can successfully integrate into society as they enter school, make friends and begin to socialize. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, self-control is one of the basic people skills that will allow children to get along with others, and maintain control over their decisions to make good choices. Empathy, kindness, sharing and communication are other people skills important for healthy social development.
Step 1
Give your children attention and love at home so when they begin interacting with others they won't starve for attention. Praise your children when they behave appropriately so they will learn to recognize desirable behavior.
Step 2
Set limits and rules at home and consistently hold your children accountable for their actions. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, parents should teach children how to follow rules without fighting or arguing.
Step 3
Teach children to ask for what they want and to respond appropriately when they don't get it right away. Help them understand available choices, such as waiting, finding something else to do or asking again at another time.
Step 4
Explain feelings to children and then teach them how to deal with feelings when they arise. Once they begin to understand their own reactions, they will be able to transfer that knowledge to others and build empathy, knowing how others might feel. Use yourself as an example. Tell your child when you are angry or sad and then explain what you are doing about it.
Step 5
Teach your child about nonverbal communication--or body language--and how it plays a role in social interactions. Turn off the television and ask your child to explain what he sees. According to the Ohio State University Extension, this exercise helps develop body language reading skills. Look through books and magazines and ask your child to assess feelings and intentions. Play a game of picking out people in a crowd and trying to guess what they are doing.
Step 6
Show children how their tone and facial expressions impact their words. Repeat a sentence using an angry tone, a shy tone and a happy tone. Match your facial expressions as you speak and explain to your child they too convey messages with their faces and tone of voice.
Tips and Warnings
- Model appropriate behavior to your children and explain your actions whenever you have a chance. For example, if you are visiting your parents and you sense an undertone of anxiety, leave early and tell your child what you observed and that you decided to leave early because his grandparents were stressed. If a driver honks at you for cutting him off, tell your child the action has nothing to do with you, but the person may be having a bad day.
- Alert your pediatrician to antisocial behavior you notice in your child to make sure he doesn't have a medical disorder precluding him from proper social development. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the main symptoms of autism is the inability to communicate appropriately and interact with other people.
Things You'll Need
- Television
- Books
- Magazines
