Each child is unique and will have skills he learns naturally and others he does not even know he is supposed to do. You can identify what skills your child does well and which ones he needs to improve upon by simply observing him in various situations with various people. Make a list of how he interacts with his classmates, teachers, coaches, relatives, neighbors, siblings, and parents. You can use the chart to keep track of his strengths and weaknesses. Praise him when he uses proper social skills so you can reinforce his use.
Rate your child on the following social skills by putting a + next to the skills he does well and a next to those he rarely does and/or does poorly. Use this list to periodically monitor his progress.
Social Skills Chart
Greeting others
Giving suggestions for play
Saying goodbye
Accepting suggestions
Starting a conversation
Asking nicely for help
Joining a conversation
Accepting help from others
Maintaining a conversation
Noticing who needs help
Ending a conversation
Giving appropriate help
Asking others to play
Resolving conflicts
Joining existing play
Keeping peers’ secrets
Turning down offers to play
Encouraging others
Cooperating with game rules
Avoiding negative peers
Accepting losing at games
Conversing on topic
Sharing items
Changing topics
Giving compliments
Compromising
Accepting compliments
Modifying to fit situation
Listening to others
Observing social cues
Expressing emotions
Responding to social cues
Letting others participate
Avoiding hurt feelings
Avoiding interrupting
Apologizing
Accepting when interrupted
Accepting apologies
Accepting own mistakes
Comforting others
Accepting others’ mistakes
Avoiding criticizing others
Giving helpful feedback
Playing cooperatively
Tolerating helpful feedback
Considering others’ wishes
Waiting turn to talk
Keeping promises
Looking others in the eye
Expressing joy
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