What Are "Social Skills"?

Good social skills are important tools for day to day living---they help children navigate social interactions effectively and smoothly. The most basic and essential skill is the ability to communicate with others. So, what exactly are “social skills?”

Social Skills are commonly defined as those specific behavioral strategies that allow one to: initiate and maintain positive social interactions with others develop friendships and social support networks cope effectively with the social environment.

Children must negotiate important social relationships:

• Parent-related: they must be able to follow directions, sit quietly when needed, assist with household chores and self-care abilities as possible, and communicate needs in appropriate way
• Teacher-related: they must be able to respond to the behavioral expectations of teachers

• Peer-related: they must meet the behavioral requirements of peers in free play settings

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