Counseling Child Social Skills Phoenix,Cave Creek, Scottsdale Arizona
Monday, August 20th, 2018Children and adolescent teens are spending 50 plus hours a week on technology( instagram, texting, snapchat, you tube, Netflix facebook) and a majority of youth are not developing social skills . You might wonder why social skills is vital? Social skills and resiliency are two of the biggest factors determining future success for your child or teenager.
In many research studies children that have strong social skills and emotional skills were more likely than their peers to succeed academically as well as professionally . One study followed children for over twenty years .
Social abilities are more than just having friends . Social competence includes the ability to be a team player , resolve conflicts , listen to others, make suggestions without judgment or criticism .
In a large research study twenty five years ago academic teachers used an assessment tool the educational leaders were asked to assign each child a score based on qualities that included : team work, cooperates with peers without prompting., helpful to others, understands feelings; and independent problem solver.
One huge result was that the children that scored high on the above criteria were over FOUR TIMES more likely to graduate from college.
Another result showed that academic success is not enough for career or life success. Children need to learn self awareness, and social awareness, self management, and emotional strength in order to have successful futures. Social and emotional skills: mood regulation, stress management, healthy communication with peers and family are vital for healthy adults.
Children and teens with poor social skills were more likely to have : substance abuse problems, be unemployed , receive public assistance , and more .
The positive piece of the study was that children and teens can develop social skills throughout childhood with some practice and work. Your child’s success in life all around: relationships, happiness, career happiness and life joy’s are connected to strong social skills.
Developing the whole child is very important. Teaching your child or teen kills to communicate with peers and family in healthy ways, tools to make friends and keep friends, skills to manage stress in life, mood regulation skills, healthy diet, exercise, and creating overall balance in your child’s life.
Children can learn healthy social skills with some guidance with parents as well as through counseling and role modeling.
Being a team player is an essential social skill for family, friendship as well as at school and at work. It is vital that a child contribute: do chores, do things he or she does not want to do to build healthy social skills.
Listening to others opinions and not thinking one knows it all is helpful with social skills.
Being grateful and thankful to your family and friends and others who do things for you. Helping you, making you dinner, providing support, doing things you enjoy etc.
Being genuine and truly interested in others lives is vital for true friendship. Children and teens should get curious about what activities parents participate in daily and ask about there day. Children and teens should ask friends about activities they enjoy at school at home in clubs etc. Listening is key and asking more questions will allow you to develop a strong relationships and build your social skills.
Lifeworksaz.com has been working with children, teens and families for over fifteen years on social skills, self esteem, mood, stress management and healthy life skills and more.