TEACHING SOCIAL SKILLS

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Today • Tuesday • July 1, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

‘Jimmy, please get your feet off the table. And Sally, don’t talk with your mouth full.’

 

Sound familiar?

 

How do you train your kids to be polite and obedient without badgering them?

 

The key to this is, using consequence and reward. Like all matters of discipline, social skills are taught by first making sure they understand the rules and then setting clear penalties if they break them.

 

And it doesn’t have to be harsh, just effective.

 

Dr James Dobson once came up with an idea to help his kids remember to put their napkins on their laps during meal times.

 

He and his children decided that anyone who forgot would have to leave the table for several minutes and stand in the hall.

 

During one dinner at a restaurant, Dr Dobson broke the rule and his kids caught him, so he had to take his punishment and stand in the foyer of the restaurant.

 

There are better ways to teach kids than through nagging. The key is to be creative and consistent.