Over the last few weeks I have been in several meetings discussing how to help high school children not only get to college but also the retention of the students in college.
I know you must be asking, why is she talking about high school kids when this blog is focused on zero to age 3. The reason is, I want to paint a picture for to understand the long term effects of certain actions or lack of even though they are being done for the most part with good intentions.
One wonderful organization said, they are giving the high school students soft skills some may ask, "what are soft skills"? Soft skills are social (the ability to interact with others), emotional (the ability to control your emotions in various situations, knowing how best to handle a situation rather than "blowing up"), problem solving (when in the working world you can have a situation and figure out how best to handle it and think creatively).
For those that have been long time subscribers of the blog you have read how to help your infant/toddler develop soft skills.
Now if your infant/toddler is playing with a ball and it rolls under the chair or table your first instinct is to help her get the ball. STOP for a moment, give your infant/toddler an opportunity to problem solve, see if she tries to get the ball on her own. If she needs help she will indicate to you; however if the ball is really out of her reach you can bring it forward so she can see it and then allow her to get the ball. Not only are you helping her develop her problem solving skills but you are also helping her build self confidence (she knows she can do it).
Social skills as you take her out, not just a birthday party encourage her to interact with other toddlers. How do you do that, here is an example. When I take Ajani to the park I say to him, say hi to xxx. About a week ago I took Ajani to his favorite place, the Brooklyn Children's Museum. He was playing in the water area and several other toddlers were there also, the toddler next to him kept throwing a boat and Ajani would reach for the boat and give it back to him. That is another example of developing social skills.
Now the next time you want to rush and problem solve for her think ahead as to what that will cause in the teenage years and beyond. The next time you take her to the park or another child friendly setting it's ok to encourage her to interact with the other toddlers.
Be well
I know you must be asking, why is she talking about high school kids when this blog is focused on zero to age 3. The reason is, I want to paint a picture for to understand the long term effects of certain actions or lack of even though they are being done for the most part with good intentions.
One wonderful organization said, they are giving the high school students soft skills some may ask, "what are soft skills"? Soft skills are social (the ability to interact with others), emotional (the ability to control your emotions in various situations, knowing how best to handle a situation rather than "blowing up"), problem solving (when in the working world you can have a situation and figure out how best to handle it and think creatively).
For those that have been long time subscribers of the blog you have read how to help your infant/toddler develop soft skills.
Now if your infant/toddler is playing with a ball and it rolls under the chair or table your first instinct is to help her get the ball. STOP for a moment, give your infant/toddler an opportunity to problem solve, see if she tries to get the ball on her own. If she needs help she will indicate to you; however if the ball is really out of her reach you can bring it forward so she can see it and then allow her to get the ball. Not only are you helping her develop her problem solving skills but you are also helping her build self confidence (she knows she can do it).
Social skills as you take her out, not just a birthday party encourage her to interact with other toddlers. How do you do that, here is an example. When I take Ajani to the park I say to him, say hi to xxx. About a week ago I took Ajani to his favorite place, the Brooklyn Children's Museum. He was playing in the water area and several other toddlers were there also, the toddler next to him kept throwing a boat and Ajani would reach for the boat and give it back to him. That is another example of developing social skills.
Now the next time you want to rush and problem solve for her think ahead as to what that will cause in the teenage years and beyond. The next time you take her to the park or another child friendly setting it's ok to encourage her to interact with the other toddlers.
Be well
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