Gadgets have become the younger generation’s toys of choice. According to the research done by the Michael Cohen Group, 60% of kids under the age of 12 play on a portable screen often, while 38% play very often. The numbers show that kids these days have been straying away from the image of the sun shining, so bring outdoors.
Gone are the days when summer vacation begins with a call from a playmate, knocking outside the door. There are fewer and fewer bike adventures – no more imaginative minds creating hometown myths that are too early for Halloween. Kids are staying indoors. Their world revolves around the adventure they find in their small gadgets. This is why providing an avenue for them to be more attuned to the world is a responsibility that schools, cities, and households have to fulfill.
For instance, providing a playground with Flying Fox equipment in places where kids usually go can help nourish their minds and bodies. Having programs that aim to develop their social skills is also helpful, especially now that conversations occur in front of a screen.
Social skills are important for the reason that it provides the platform for kids to empathize. Empathy is increasingly important now that the world appears to be regressing in terms of acceptance. When children develop good social skills, they will enjoy better relationships with their peers. In the future, it can help lead them to opportunities through their social network. Plus, according to a 2019 study, children with good social skills are less likely to experience stress in a daycare setting. It turns out, stress is not exclusive to adults.
Here is a list of the top three social skills kids should learn:
- Cooperating with others.
Cooperation among people is crucial to achieving a common goal. Teaching kids how to cooperate allows them to participate and help out. It can help them get along with the people around them. Now, in the school and playground setting. In the future, the office and community. The ability to cooperate may show up from the acts of building a Lego together with a sibling and playing a game with the kids in the park.
- Listening, not hearing.
The ability to listen is not limited to keeping quiet. It requires a full understanding of what is being said and retaining the information after. Listening will hone their academic capability once they start learning in school. Children’s ability to listen also allows them to properly communicate, a characteristic that will prove to be important later on in their lives. Although this might seem difficult to achieve because of digital communications, limiting their time with gadgets will provide them more time to interact with the people around them.
- Knowing the idea of personal space.
As early as childhood, kids should have a sense of personal space. Respecting other people’s personal space can be taught by the simple rules of knocking on the door and keeping their hands to themselves. At the same time, teaching kids to voice out what keeps them uncomfortable is encouraged. Adults should not force children to accept a kiss on the cheek if they do not want it.
Developing children’s social skills during their childhood years is a great way to ensure that they will become capable and respectable adults. People and institutions should grant them with the right experiences to help them grow.
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