A child faces many challenges in daily day-to-day life. Monitoring their daily activities help the parents to understand the challenges their child is facing. But, from getting ready for school to annual exam battles, the struggle to socialize is casually sidled.

In this competitive world, where you are scared that your child may be left behind, social skills may or may not seem like an issue right now. Although, children often face problems in starting a conversation, interacting with strangers and making friends. Social skills also come in handy while dealing with uncomfortable situations like bullying, unpopularity or even something as simple as empathizing when they do not want to.

Extrovert kids are more open to socializing than the introvert ones. But either way, kids may find it difficult to club their emotions and experiences with others’. Here are some simple habits that can improve your child’s social behavior-

Communication:

The most important part of a social skill is learning how to communicate using correct words. Whenever you are around your kids, talk to them about their day, friends, teachers, friends’ parents, their new interests etc. Let them know that you are all about them.

Emotions:

Teach them all emotions and how to differentiate between similar emotions according to the intensity. You can do that by making play-cards for a fun game and during story-telling sessions. This will make them understand how someone else is feeling and hence, will empathize.

Acceptance:

Teach them how and when to say No. And also, how to accept a No. Teach them about criticism and consequences.

Eye-to-eye:

Every time they talk, make them look you in the eye. This will boost their confidence.

Play dates:

Take them out with other kids for games, food and outings where they all can make friends.

Hobby:

Let your kids try different extracurricular activities and decide what interests them the most. Take them to the experts in the field and get them the coaching they need. This is a great place for them to socialize with other kids in the same field. Birds of the same feathers flock together.

Developed skills:

Once your kids have good social behavior, try to inculcate higher social skills. Develop bargaining skills, negotiation, public speaking, conflict resolution and more.

If you are still worried about your child’s behavior and that they are not doing well around other people, it is never too late to seek psychological counseling. You should never think twice to take professional help for a better future.