Learning Social Skills

Hi Team Maungaraki,

I hope you are managing well in this awful weather.  We have wonderful friendly children here at Maungaraki School. They really do care for each other and look out for each others feelings.

Our "Buddy Bus' is a wonderful place to see this. I often see our students asking people who are sitting on this bus if they would like to join them in games. Just in the last week I saw a group of boys ask a younger student who was sitting alone on the 'Buddy Bus' to join them in a game of cricket. He trotted off and joined in with a huge smile on his face. Earlier in the week I also witnessed a wonderful girl called Millie ask a young boy if he would like to play with her. These are just two small examples of the awesome friendships our children offer.

‘I’ve got no friends’ – is not something that any parent or caregiver wants to hear. It can be heart-breaking to think about your child sitting alone at playtime or struggling to find their place in a friendship group. As parents and teachers we feel helpless to change situations that are not in our control and feel concerned for our how our children feel about themselves.

Learning social skills such as Friendship is just as important as learning to read and write. We teach social skills at school, but as parents/caregivers, you also play a very important role in supporting and developing these life-long skills. Friends help children to develop socially and morally. Children learn the social skills of co-operation, communication and problem-solving. Children even seem to have better attitudes at school which affects their performance, when they have friends there.

How can you help your child to develop positive friendships?

Know your child – some children are out-going and some are shy and introverted.  Some children prefer to play alone while others enjoy the company of others. You could discuss having one or two special friends rather than a lot of friends.

Be a good role model – your children learn from you. They learn how to meet people, talk to them, tell stories and jokes and how to co-operate with others.  You teach your child how to win or lose well, to apologise and accept apologies. Parents help their child learn how to be a person that others like to be around.

Provide opportunities to spend time with other children – invite other children over to play, join a group, team or club.  Help your child to learn games and/or sports. Find out what interests your child first.

Teach your child how to handle difficult situations and solve problems – children sometimes need support to manage feelings and solve problems within a friendship – this is an important skill of getting along with others.

Don’t overlook the friendships in your own home – it is important that children foster friendships with their siblings. They are perfect to practice on! You want them to be close, so take the time to teach them how to be friends.

Until next time, be your best.

No riera, kia kaha ra,
Nga Mihi Nui.

Shane Robinson