Social Skills Strategies for Parents and Teachers (continued)

Give the child opportunities to choose (as long as safety, morals, or school policies are not waived):

• what to read;
• what to wear to school (within dress codes);
• what to play with;
• where to go;
• when to come home;
• who to go with; and
• how to decorate his own room.

Individuality helps to define a child’s independence and increases self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.

Teacher Strategies

Give the student opportunities to choose:

• types of books to report on;
• types of reports (written, oral, project, or group work);
• types of activities (centers or physical, written/ oral);
• types of exercises in Physical Education;
• types of music to study in music class; and
• types of class volunteer activities.

References

Bullock, J.R. (1998). Loneliness in Young Children. ERIC ED419624. On the web. Retrieved January 17, 2003 from: www.ericdigests.org/1999-1/loneliness

Burton, C.B. (1986). Children’s Peer Relationships. ERIC ED265936. On the web. Retrieved January 16, 2003 from: www.ericdigests.org/pre-923/peer

Lewandowski, E. (2003) Surviving Middle School. On the web. Retrieved January 16, 2003 from: http://www.aspennj.org/midsch
Sullivan, D. BabyCenter. Learning Milestones: Social Skills: Kindergarten through 3rd grade. On the web. Retrieved January 24, 2003. from: www.babycenter.com