There are so many skills to teach in kindergarten, but social skills are one of those top priorities that should be included right in the curriculum from the beginning. This post will outline a list of social skills to teach in elementary school. Kids can learn these social skills throughout their schooling from preschool onwards.
Social skills activities for kids are essential at any level and grade.
How to improve a child social skills and relationships with peers
Teaching social skills is a day in and day out venture. I would say that teachers already teach these skills by targeting behavior.
However, explicitly teaching social skills should be something we are continuously doing.
This is why having a list of social skills to target and then add to our scope and sequence should be a requirement when lesson planning.
When trying to improve a child’s relationship with peers, always try to involve children in games and group work in the classroom. Teach winning and losing, have them take responsibility and help their peers when they need it, role play scenarios if you must.
30+ Social SKills activities and printables for kids
These are all great ways to build community and camaraderie with kids from an early age.
Another way to help a child form great relationships is to help them form a strong sense of trust.
This ensures that kids can begin and form healthy relationships with their classmates. Without trust, they cannot form long term relationships.
Teaching kids all about manners and how to show them is so important too.
Without manners, kids won’t be able to form good relationships. Teaching them to respect others will help them form bonds with their friends which are strong.
More social skills activities you may like:
- 50 Goals for Social Skills to Add to Your IEPs
- 10 Best Kindness Bulletin Boards to Promote Social Skills
- Fun Virtual Social Emotional Learning Activities
- Teaching Social Emotional Skills to Preschool: 10 Super Easy Books on Kindness
- How Social and Emotional Learning Interventions Can Save a Child’s Emotional Wellbeing
Teach friend making skills
Another way to help a child form great relationships is to encourage them to respect their peers and join play in a fun and healthy way.
Teaching them to ask to join play. I love using social stories, this story was created to target this particular skill.
Create opportunities for supervised play. This is another great way to watch and help them join play in a healthy manner.
Friendship writing craft printable templates.
List of social skills pdf
This list is not exhaustive by nag means, but it is a great starting point for when you need to add some social skills to your curriculum.
Empathy
Listening
Communication skills
Nonverbal communication
Anger Management
Active listening skills
Conflict resolution
Sharing
Assertiveness
Eye contact and body language
Calm down sills
Emotional self-regulation
Self awareness
Patience
Manners
Confidence
Self esteem
List of social skills for autism
I have talked about and shared some resources for anger management for autism before.
It’s essential kids are exposed to ways that they can manage and contkrk their anger and emotions.
Teaching them ways to calm down is an excellent way to do that.
Important social skills to teach in special needs or autism:
Play skills
Choosing topics to discuss
Body language
Facial emotions
Understanding how others feel
Sharing toys and games
Choosing what body language to use
Listening
Follow simple directions
Respecting boundaries
Taking turns
Winning and losing
