Strategies to Improve Children’s Social Skills at Home

Does my child have needs in this area? Ask yourself the following:

• Does my child have frequent meltdowns?
• Does my child have difficulty transitioning activities?
• Is my child unable to wait?
• Is my child unable to accept “no”?
• Does my child have difficulty sharing and taking turns?
• Is my child unable to self-regulate after frustration?

How to increase social skills at home:

• Teach and offer strategies to help your child communicate their feelings
  • Have them draw or write how they feel and discuss it
  • Practice reading facial expressions
• Use visual supports for daily routines and schedules
  • Children thrive on structure, and knowing what will come next can improve transitions and reactions
  • Using a timer is another similar strategy that can be helpful
• Reinforce positive interactions with positive attention or a reward system
• Teach your child self-calming strategies
  • This includes taking deep breaths, physical movement, and self-talk
• Practice taking turns during games and promote sharing
  • Children learn through play and this will help facilitate good coping strategies when they play with their peers
  • Don’t always let your child win
  • Engage in other activities that involve cooperation and team playing like baking, light housework etc.
• Give your child responsibility
  • Making their bed or helping clear the dinner table can help a child understand that they are part of a team and can work together with others towards the same goal