Social competency is a set of skills that provide children with the tools and abilities to successfully navigate the world around them.
Developing Social Competency in Young Children looks at each of the seven Cs of social competence—communication, community building, coping, confidence, conflict resolution, control, and curiosity.
During any given day, a child will enter and exit many group situations. More often than not, children lack the knowledge, experience, or emotional intelligence to be socially competent in all situations. There is not a switch or a specific age when children automatically become socially competent and adults often assume that when children reach a certain age or milestone they will know how to effectively employ the seven Cs of social competency without being taught.
These skills must be taught and environments need to be designed to encourage the development of these skills while intentionally providing opportunities to test and hone them.
Developing Social Competency in Young Children examines the role of the adult in designing the environment and using intentional strategies to maximize a child’s success. At the end of each skill discussed, there are parent and staff educational tips and strategies that can be used in everyday life.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Chapter 1: Understanding Social Competency
Define Social Competencies
Benefits of Positive Social Skills
Providers’ Role Chapter 2: Communication
Definition Associated Skills Expressing feeling Reading body language Listening Assertiveness Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with communication Chapter 3: Coping
Definition Associated Skills Dealing with stress of nonsuccess Dealing with a crisis Anger management Self-control Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with coping skills Chapter 4: Community Building
Definition Associated Skills Friendship skills Working in a group Cooperation Empathy Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with community building Chapter 5: Conflict Resolution
Definition Associated Skills Aversion to violence Negotiation Resolution strategies Compromise Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with conflict resolution Chapter 6: Confidence
Definition Associated Skills Positive self-image Sense of capableness Feeling loved Sense of acceptance Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with confidence Chapter 7: Curiosity
Definition Associated Skills Adventurous De-stressing Desire to learn Explorer Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with curiosity Chapter 8: Control Definition Associated Skills Responsibility Self-discipline Choosing the right response Internalize self-control Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with control Chapter 9: Tying It All Together
Available Assessment Tools Creating an Action Plan
Über den Autor
Christine A. Schmidt is the owner of 2 CR Solutions, Ltd., a consulting, training, and technical assistance company for organizations that serve children birth through age 18. She has worked as a child care director, grant manager, and accreditation support staff. Christine is the coauthor of
Great Afterschool Programs and Spaces That Wow! and
The Child Care Director’s Complete Guide.
