Socialising is not a skill, it is a learned behaviour. Socializing is very important for the mental and social development of the child. Preschool is the a step in learning socializing skills. Read on to know how you can make a positive impact on your child’s socializing skills.Socialise is an aspect that kids learn through observation and practice. Preschool gives the required opportunity where the kid is required to behave in a proper manner without the constant aid from their parents. Once they are out of the protective cover, they get to face the real world, interact with people and thereby enhance their confidence levels. All these start when they get the chance to meet other kids in the schools and interact or mix with them.
Parents can Effectively Aid this Process in Several Ways
Have a quick look at the ways to help child socialise with an ease.
Teach Child about Emotions
You can start by teaching the child something about emotions. Acquaint him on what are the various emotions that are easily observable. And then gradually teach them on how they can deal with them. But this again needs to be initiated by allowing the child to express his feelings and feel comfortable in speaking out what he is feeling within.
The two emotions that parents need to primarily guide the kid through are anger and disappointment. When kids work, study or play in a group, these are the two most noticeable emotions that they happen to feel.
Give Practical Examples
As you explain the emotions and the causes also try to relate them with practical situations like, ‘see how happy I am that you’ve done such a great job.’ Or ‘it makes me angry when you are not listening to me’. This way they will be better able to understand the emotions of other kids in his preschool and react in the desired manner without assistance.
Give your Home an Emotionally Relaxed Atmosphere
Social development primarily begins at home and the primary relationship is always with the parent or guardian. It is on the parents that the kid relies for succor and support. They want to feel emotionally secure. So make it a point that what you do at home, the kid is constantly observing your behavior and deriving cues from it. They are learning on what they are supposed to do and it is important for the parents to make it a point that they do not get any wrong signals.
Behave well with strangers, with neighbours and even with co passengers or the attendant at the mall. Take your kid along when you are going for a walk, a visit to the doctor, the mall or even to the garage to enquire about your car. Behave politely and cooperatively with these people. Remember, your behavior should always be positive and warm. Your kid will learn through observation that this is how he should also behave with his peers in his preschool.
Always Have a Problem Solving Attitude
Make it a point not to appear distressed and dejected due to any problem before your kid. The kid should get the idea that problems are too big to be solved. Your ‘can do it’ attitude with rub on to your kid and help him to enhance his confidence. Your upbeat and constructive attitude will teach the kid to hold out hid helping hand to his peers and be cooperative and sensitive towards their problems. Slowly you can also teach him some ‘what if’ scenarios so that he learns to think about alternatives to a given situation. You might even be pleasantly surprised that the little brain can brainstorm solutions!
Finally, it is important for the parent to be patient while teaching the kid how to mix with other children. Always be supportive when you find the child upset. Give him time to express his feelings and hear him out patiently. If you come across any hard or negative emotions never play them down. Observe carefully whether he needs professional attention. It is also important for parents never to reward the child for a ‘pro-social’ behavior with his classmates. Make them understand that behaving properly is naturally expected of them and this is not an achievement that calls for rewards.
