Since social skills can be learned and improved, practice is essential. For example, when teaching cooperation, have the child work as a team on a small project like clearing toys. By creating opportunities for them to exercise their skills, you can monitor their progress and find more teachable moments.

Many children’s books have lessons built into them and kids love story time. While reading to them, intermittently stop to ask them social questions. To develop listening, you can ask them what they remember so far. For empathy, ask them about the characters’ feelings and how they would handle the situations presented.

Play time can provide opportunities to engage in various social situations through make-believe. For instance, when teaching a child how to respect someone’s personal space, pretending that they’re in line at the grocery store can help them to understand the concept, practice doing it, and may help them remember next time they’re at the store.

Offering praise for appropriate behaviors is an effective method to encourage kids in developing their social skills. It is important to compliment them on a job well done outside of active social skills lessons as well as during them. Take a moment to tell them you’re proud when they graciously share a toy with another child without being told to.