Teaching Social Skills Helps Reduce Behavior Incidents
Teaching the importance of using appropriate social skills belongs in every classroom regardless of grade or subject. Many children with behavior needs benefit from the ongoing teaching of social skills. In the inclusional model, children with special needs will benefit from the social skills learned by the regular students. When you think about it, most classroom and yard problems are a direct result of inappropriate social skills. Social skills are skills that can be learned at all ages, students need to be reminded that even adults continue to learn social skills. Students need to understand the importance of using effective social skills.
What are the Social Skills?
- Cooperation
- Sharing
- Participation
- Being a Friend
- Helping Others
- Being Patient
- Following Directions
- Taking Turns
- Remaining on Task
- Accepting Differences
- Listening
- Praising Others and Refraining from Put Downs
- Positive Communication and Interactions
- Being Polite and Courteous
- Using Good Manners
- Respecting Ourselves, Others and Items
- Being Respectful
An Example of Teaching a Social Skill: “Being a Good Listener Lesson”
The teacher will brainstorm with the class all of the habits of a good listener. Probe students with the following questions: What does a good listener do? How do you know when somebody is a good listener? What are the qualities of a good listener. Accept the student responses and record them on a piece of chart paper or on the chalk board. Make sure the children record the items in their notes. These can be used in the form of a rubric later to determine the qualities of a good listener. программы порносайты
The task: Students will now take turns in a role playing environment to determine how effective they are at listening. Each student must tell the partner student about one of his/her favorite holidays. The student doing the talking will be taking note to see if the listener maintains eye contact, gives the appropriate nods to indicate understanding, asks for clarification by using the speaker’s name, restating occasionally if necessary, avoid making any jugdements or interrupting. After that the student will exchange places. Social skills should be taught one at a time. The social skill of the week is one way to ensure that you address each of them. Remember, The IDEA Amendments of 1997 emphasize the need for teachers to be good role models for their students. During the school day, remember that you are one of the most visible role models of appropriate social skills that your students will see. For example, if you treat others kindly and with respect, your students are more likely to do so, too.
- From About.com