An Overview
Developing good relations and bonds with peers is a crucial social skill every child needs to learn. Good friendships in school not only make school days more fun but also become a massive support system throughout the teenage years and adulthood. Nevertheless, developing and maintaining such friendships only comes to some children naturally. Therefore, parents must play a role in building this necessary life skill in their children at an early age.
In this blog, Strategic Learning Clinic will share some essential tips on how teachers and parents can encourage positive peer relationships at home and school.
Tips On Encouraging Positive Peer Relationships
1. Help Your Child Develop A Positive Attitude
An important rule of parenting is to help a child develop a positive attitude toward those around them. After all, who doesn’t love to be around positive people? Encourage a positive attitude with a child by teaching them to focus on positive aspects, no matter how difficult the situation.
2. Show Them How To Do This
When it comes to parenting, we know that children learn by watching and absorbing what their parents do. Especially during preschool years, children learn social skills by emulating the adults around them. With that said, it is important to form behaviour that you would like to see in your children.
Allow them to observe how you treat your friends. Let them observe how you initiate conversations with strangers in public, for example, at a party or while on vacation. If a child sees their parents mistreating an individual, then they take a mental note that it is normal and acceptable behaviour. Therefore, at all times, be cautious about how you treat people, especially in front of your child.
3. Teach Your Child Problem-Solving Skills
A lot of children with behavioural disorders lack executive functioning skills and need step-by-step instructions when it comes to problem-solving activities. Parents and teachers should both play the role of a coach and assist these children in the problem-solving process. Help a child learn to identify the problem, analyze different solutions, and identify a solution they can use.
4. Cultivate Their Interests
Most bonds are developed because of shared interests. Encourage your children to try new things and explore their interests. Exploring hobbies and new activities helps children meet new people and develop new relationships.
5. Boost Their Confidence
People enjoy being around a confident person. Take your children to places where they interact with other children, such as parks, playgrounds, pools, arenas etc. Invite your friends with children to playdates so that your child can play with new friends in their own home and visa-versa. Another excellent idea would be to send your child to summer camp, where they can gain confidence by meeting other children in a different environment.
6. Help Them Build Communication Skills
Your child may lack the communication skills to initiate a conversation or break the ice with other unknown children. Help them by role-playing with opening sentences to get their dialogue going.
7. Work On Their Manners
No one likes being around a rude person. Teach your child how to be polite and how to say ‘Thank you’ and ‘Please’. Help them learn how to greet adults as well as their peers in different situations.
8. Practice Good Communication Skills
Whether it’s in school or at home, give your child the opportunity to practice effective communication skills. Show them how to listen to others and wait for their turn to talk, take turns during conversations, praise others, suggest ideas, say ‘Thank you’ or apologize. You can help your child develope communication skills through role-playing, practice, and games.
9. Make Use Of Collaborative Learning Environments
Include collaborative learning activities within your child’s curriculum and home-based activities to encourage social interaction. Making use of collaborative groups allows students to observe and practice proper social interactions with their peers.
10. Concentrate On Teaching Social And Emotional Learning Strategies That Will Encourage Self-Awareness And Reflection
Encourage your child to consider how their words and personal actions have consequences. Through different modeling opportunities, help them in building the ability to take different viewpoints and perspectives. Teach your child to think through different situations and challenges by considering the possible outcomes.
11. Give Them The Opportunity To Practice Efficient Social Skills Individually As Well As In Groups
Model efficient social skills at home as well as in the classroom through positive reinforcement, praise, correction, and redirection of inappropriate behaviours. Give your child scenarios and situations that will develop their social skills.
Also read: 6 Signs Your Child Is Struggling In School
To Sum It Up!
Social outcomes are not only in the control of your child and their teachers but also you as their parents and the local community. At Strategic Learning Clinic, we offer online and in-person tutoring sessions to children of all ages. We believe there is a different connection between a student and their tutor, and our experienced teachers provide advice and support to children in the tutoring context.
So, if you wish for your child to develop or enhance the social or technical skills that will help them build positive peer relationships, then contact Strategic Learning Clinic. Get in touch with us today and find out how we can help your child in and out of school.
