1. Developing Socially Aware Children

2. 1. Baby child Teenager

4. Key stages for your children…
Starting school:
Getting dressed/toileting
Following routines/simple instructions
Moving through Reception and Key Stage 1:
Building on independence
Sharing in play/building friendships
Personal organisation
Into Key Stage 2:
Broadening their social experience – extra-curricular, school journeys/sleep overs, clubs
Friendship groups/awareness of others
Off to secondary school:
Decision making/taking responsibility
Travel and friendship choices
Homework and discussing needs
Developing interests and social independence

5. Do you have one of these in your home?
Why should I have to tidy away?
I’m always
right!!!
Its never my fault
You always try and stop my fun
You always take their side
Why should I have to share?
But you promised we would…
Why do I have to go to school?
But I don’t want to!!!

6. Does your child come home and say: No one would play with me
The teachers’ always takes her side
It’s not fair!!
He always cheats
It’s not fair!!
No one wants to be my friend.
They are always nasty to me!
I hate playtime!!!!

7. What do you do next?????
Go in and talk to your child’s teacher? Talk to the other child’s parent/s? Suggest to school that they shouldn’t be on the playground? Try and select/make friends for your child? Give your child practical choices? Rehearse what your child might say and do? Think about changing your child’s school?

8. How can you work with the school to best support your children?
Some thoughts on linking with school…
Let the school know of any situations at home that may be affecting your child’s presentation
Share ideas on what works at home for certain situations –You never know it might work at school!!!
If your child is discussing social situations/issues from school – work through ideas and let the school know
Explain why things may have happened and again empower them to know what to do to in such situations
Homework – value and ensure that they know what to do before leaving the classroom!!!
Can homework be adapted if you find a better suited way to get to the concept? Annotate with how your child responded/understood
Keep learning at home light and ‘here, there and everywhere’!!! Avoid looking to recreate the classroom at home
Accept that teaching children doesn’t come with a realistic manual either!!!

10. How to help your child to grow socially
1. Nurture your child by noticing her needs and responding to them
2. Empathize with your child’s worries and avoid shaming him
3. Model confident behaviour with other people. Kids learn from watching us
4. Teach your child basic social skills to respond to both adults and children.
5. Help your child learn how to make friends

11. How to help your child to grow socially
6. Coach your child to express his/her needs
7. Teach your child effective strategies for dealing with feelings of social awkwardness
9. Provide your child with small daily opportunities to interact with others
11. Teach your child that one good friend is worth many acquaintances
10. Don't push your child to perform

14. Any thoughts or questions?
Many thanks for listening…
Paul Cabb
T/A Social Eyes
A Vision for Inclusion
Independent SCD Advisor