6 Social Emotional Skills To Teach Children 

The world has changed quite a lot since the start of the pandemic–both for parents and kids alike. In-office work has found its way into people’s designated place of rest. Education and learning in-person have been substituted by “distant learning” on the same iPad that kids play on.

Children who grow up during these very weird and almost antisocial times may grow up with a distorted view of the world. It is crucial to teach them crucial interpersonal skills that can help them become successful both in the classroom and out of it. Read on to learn six social-emotional skills your child can benefit from. 

1. Empathy

One of the goals of social-emotional learning for children is to teach them social awareness.

Teaching empathy, which requires children to step outside of their shoes and to place themselves into other people’s shoes, is a good way to encourage practicing their sense of social awareness.

You can teach your child how to recognize and become aware of other people’s feelings by being open and honest with your own when you feel them.

2. Honesty

Another goal in social-emotional learning is to teach responsible decision-making.

From early on, children can learn to be honest and tell the truth, or they can learn to lie. Both are decisions that the child learns to make.

To encourage full honesty from your child, even if the truth isn’t pleasant, be conscious of being too hard on your child when they do tell the truth.

3. Bravery

Bravery is one of the most important emotional skills a child should learn early on.

Teaching your child to choose bravery in the face of fear encourages them to find solutions to their problems, instead of becoming paralyzed by fear.

This is a self-management skill that will carry them well into the future.

4. Gratitude

Research has shown that gratitude not only puts us in better physical health but also increases our self-esteem.

Teaching your child an early habit of gratitude can shape their frame of mind with which they approach life and difficult periods in the future.

5. Civility

The world is a better place because each one of us chooses to do good, be better, and spread kindness.

Being able to coexist in peace with others–even those who are mean and hurtful–is a sign of emotional maturity and integrity of character.

To learn how to teach this social-emotional skill, be mindful of how you interact with others in disagreement. Find out more on how to teach this emotional skill by referencing social-emotional learning guides.

6. Forgiveness

The last of the most important social skills to teach your child is how to forgive and to forgive often.

As your child will come to experience, disagreements and unpleasant interactions are all part of life. By learning how to resolve these situations and overcome these negative feelings with plenty of grace, your child will become quite successful in navigating interpersonal relationships in the world.

Model These Important Social Emotional Skills to Children

Children are like sponges soaking up and learning everything about the environment that they are in. One of the best ways to teach children these important social-emotional skills and etiquette on how to behave and coexist with others in the world is by modeling this behavior yourself. Children learn from watching and then repeating.

For more parenting resources to ensure your child’s success in the future, check out more from the education section of our blog!