Strategies for Helping Your Child with Social Skills
Social skills are essential for children’s success in school, friendships, and everyday life. Some children naturally pick up on social cues, while others may need extra support to develop these important abilities. Understanding and teaching social skills at home can empower your child to build positive relationships and navigate social situations with confidence.
What Are Social Skills?
Social skills are the abilities that help children interact effectively with others. These include:
Making and keeping friends
Sharing and taking turns
Understanding and expressing emotions
Listening and following directions
Reading nonverbal cues (like facial expressions and body language)
Resolving conflicts and problem-solving[1][2]
Children with social skill challenges may have difficulty joining groups, starting conversations, or understanding social rules.
Signs Your Child May Need Support
Prefers to play alone or has trouble making friends
Struggles with sharing, taking turns, or cooperating
Has difficulty understanding jokes, sarcasm, or nonverbal cues
Interrupts frequently or dominates conversations
Becomes easily frustrated or upset in group settings
Experiences frequent conflicts with peers[1][3]
Strategies to Support Social Skills at Home
1. Model Positive Social Behavior
Children learn by watching adults. Demonstrate polite greetings, active listening, and respectful communication in your daily interactions.
2. Practice Through Play
Board games, pretend play, and cooperative activities provide natural opportunities to practice sharing, turn-taking, and teamwork.
3. Role-Play Social Scenarios
Act out common social situations, such as joining a group, asking to play, or handling disagreements. Role-playing helps children rehearse what to say and do.
4. Teach Emotion Recognition
Help your child identify and label emotions in themselves and others. Use books, pictures, or videos to discuss facial expressions and body language.
5. Encourage Conversation Skills
Practice greetings, asking questions, and making eye contact. Teach your child to listen and respond appropriately during conversations.
6. Provide Positive Feedback
Acknowledge and praise your child’s efforts when they use good social skills, such as sharing or resolving a conflict calmly.
7. Arrange Playdates or Group Activities
Structured playdates or small group activities offer safe spaces for your child to practice social skills with peers.
8. Use Social Stories
Social stories are short, simple narratives that describe social situations and appropriate responses. These can help children understand expectations and reduce anxiety[2][3].
When to Seek Additional Support
If your child continues to struggle with social skills despite practice and support at home, consider consulting a developmental-behavioral pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can provide targeted strategies and help your child build confidence in social settings[1][2].
If you’re concerned about your child’s social skills or would like expert guidance, schedule a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Mejia, a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician. Call our Coconut Creek office at (754) 200-1756 to book your appointment or request an appointment online and support your child’s social development.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. Promoting Social-Emotional Development in Children. Pediatrics. 2012;129(1):e199-e201.
Gresham FM, Elliott SN. Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Rating Scales. Pearson; 2008.
Bellini S, Peters JK, Benner L, Hopf A. A meta-analysis of school-based social skills interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Remedial and Special Education. 2007;28(3):153-162.
