Its social skills! explain it like language, children learn language through their environment and exposure. This is called social learning theory, where we learn from our environment. Some children so have a speech delay might not learn language the same way and just pick it up naturally from the world around them. But instead have to be explicitly thought to speak and understand. Social skills are the same. Most children pick it up easily based on their interactions with others. Other children have to be taught these skills directly, such as; introducing themselves, sharing, asking questions, answering questions, joining play, functional play skills, etc. Now you are working on teaching the social skills but it requires time, patients, and other children! We can't learn social skills with out others. Highlight how their child has such great social skills and acts as a model for others.
Tips for teaching social skills: Teach them with intent, just like a lesson plan. It sounds like this child isn't picking up social cues.
Children learn social skills first with adults they know and trust. Once mastered with you. then transfer the skill to other children.
If you are already using puppets, use the puppets for the transition of skill learning from between adult and child.
Increase the level of praise for social skills DRAMATICALLY!
Best,
Eli Mast, Child therapist (social skill specialist!)
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Eli Mast
CEO / CO-Founder
Joint Early Learning Ideas, LLC
CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2023 06:04 PM
From: James Mitchell
Subject: Talking to Parents about "That Kid"
We've probably all been down this road before. We've got a kiddo who is hands first and ask for permission later, if at all. Perhaps they have some sort of delay. Or they are a very physical kiddo and like to grab and hug and kiss. There doing a little pushing and swatting. It doesn't rise to the level of dangerous for others. It's not aggressive. It's that they are still developing the skill of reading a situation and using physical contact appropriately. It's not all day everyday. It is of course affecting that kid that doesn't quite know yet how to stand up and get away or speak up for themself. You're working with both kids on developing the skills they need. You're making progress. That said, it's affecting how they are viewed by the other kiddos and the other kiddos parents. Your reading books like "Leo the Late Bloomer" and doing puppet shows to help the kiddos understand that some kids take longer to learn how to "not be annoying" or to "play right." You did tell all of the parents at the beginning of the year that this would probably come up. And still, you have that one parent that thinks something more needs to be done and they want that kid to stay away from their kid. You listen to them. And now.....What are you telling that parent? What books or articles are you suggesting they read?
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Scott Mitchell
Teacher
Silver Spring Nursery School
Maryland
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