Model Good Social Skills
Ever feel like you’re starring in your own reality show called ‘How Not to Adult in Public’? Every time you fumble a hello or forget your neighbor’s name (again), your tiny human is taking notes—probably for their future TED Talk on ‘Why My Parents Are Weird.’ If you’re wondering if this is the week to finally say hi to the mail carrier instead of hiding behind the curtains, this one’s for you.
When kids see you greet people, listen, and respond kindly, their brains light up in the empathy and social learning zones. You’re literally wiring their little noggins for better relationships, resilience, and emotional intelligence—which, let’s be honest, is more useful than knowing all the lyrics to ‘Baby Shark’. For parents, modeling good social skills can also boost your own mood and confidence (because fake-it-til-you-make-it is a legit neural hack).
How to do it
First, narrate your social moves out loud. For example, say things like, “I’m saying thank you because it’s kind!” Imagine you’re the world’s most awkward sports commentator, describing your actions as you go.
Next, keep it simple. Focus on:
- Making eye contact
- Offering a smile
- Giving a basic greeting
These are Olympic-level achievements in the world of parenting.
Then, let your child see you handle mistakes, such as forgetting someone’s name. Respond with a laugh or a quick apology. This shows your child how to recover gracefully, rather than melting into a puddle of embarrassment.
Key tips:
- Narrate your actions out loud to model social behavior.
- Celebrate simple social gestures—they’re important milestones.
- Demonstrate how to handle social slip-ups with humor and composure.
