Have you ever wondered why some children make friends so easily and are so liked by their peers, while others find it so difficult?
The answer lies in social skills.
Children with social skills have no problems making friends and their relationship with adults is good executive functioning skills.
They are also emotionally stable and know how to defend their rights without stepping on the rights of others.
Did you know that this is key to their emotional development and future success?
In this article, you will discover that social skills are like secret superpowers that children can learn
I will show you practical strategies and effective tips so you know how to help your child build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and face challenges respectfully.
Get ready to have fun with your son or daughter while you teach them to acquire these skills!
What is meant by social skills
Social skills are much more than simply expressing emotions, desires and opinions.
It is about doing it while respecting the feelings and opinions of others, without our words bothering or hurting.
Furthermore, it implies understanding one’s own emotions and those of others, and even if we do not share it, understanding the way other people act.
Characteristics of people with social skills.
They know how to really listen:
I mean they really listen to what the other person is telling them. They don’t just hear the words, they perceive the feelings and emotions behind them.
They make friends easily:
A person who knows how to listen and who tries not to hurt those who listen to him, when he expresses his desires, attracts others.
They have negotiation capacity:
They know how to defend their rights without offending, which helps them achieve their goals, for example:
A raise or a better job.
When it comes to teenagers:
They will know how to propose alternative plans when the group pressures them to do something they do not want to do.
They dare to say “no” when necessary:
This is not so easy. Many people don’t do it for fear that others will stop being their friends.
This skill is important at any age, protecting adolescents, for example, from falling into drug and alcohol consumption.
They know how to ask for favors:
And they are not afraid to do it. A person without social skills may not dare to do it because of shame or insecurity.
They are able to start, maintain and end conversations:
They recognize their emotions and feelings:
This helps them relate better to others, avoiding taking out their anger on those around them.
Have you noticed that often when we are angry we tend to take it out on those around us?
When we recognize the anger we feel, we can avoid doing this.
They know how to face the conflicts and challenges of life:
No matter how difficult the situations they have to go through, by trusting in themselves, they will be sure to get ahead.
That conviction will be the key to achieving it.
As you can see, having social skills helps us be happier.
Benefits of social skills for children.
Taking all of the above into account, we can say that a child with social skills:
He makes friends easily.
He doesn’t usually get into trouble.
He is confident and cheerful.
He like to work in team.
On the other hand, when a child lacks social skills, they may be excessively shy, impulsive, and have difficulty controlling their emotions, which affects their relationships with others.
Social Skills in children.
Children with ADHD often have difficulty developing social skills for several reasons:
Attention problems:
They may have difficulty paying attention and concentrating in social interactions.
This can cause them to miss important details in conversations and have difficulty following the flow of communication.
Impulsivity:
This is a common characteristic in ADHD. Children can say the first thing that comes to mind without thinking about whether it is appropriate or not, so their words often bother others.
Furthermore, their impulsiveness makes them interrupt other people’s conversations because it is difficult for them to wait their turn.
These behaviors harm the good relationship with their colleagues.
Hyperactivity:
They may have difficulty controlling their excess motor hyperactivity.
Excessive fidgeting and difficulty sitting still can make other children uncomfortable or reluctant to interact with them.
Emotional regulation problems:
They can also have:
Sudden mood changes.
Difficulty managing frustration.
These emotional difficulties can cause their friends to leave them aside and avoid playing with them.