How can I support my child’s development of social skills?

Give them opportunities to be social!

• Arrange playdates (especially with kids in their class)

• Take them to the park

• Enroll them in a team sport (soccer, baseball, volleyball - something that helps them learn to cooperate and be a team player, not an individual sport like karate or swimming)

• Start your own play group with several families in your neighborhood

Focus on these skills:

• Cooperating, sharing, taking turns and problem solving.

  • They can practice these at preschool, on playdates and also playing games at home!

• Listening and following directions

  • They practice this in preschool and at home. Hold your boundaries!

• Respecting adults and peers

  • Learning this starts at home. They learn from you modeling for them and explicitly teaching them how to respect others.