Developing Social Competency in Young Children

Social competency is a set of skills that provide children with the tools and abilities to successfully navigate the world around them. This book looks at each of the 7 Cs of social competence. Communicate Community building Coping Confidence Conflict resolution Control Curiosity During any given day, a child will enter and exit many group situations. More often than not, children lack the knowledge and experience to be socially competent in all situations. There is not a switch or a specific age when children automatically become socially competent, and it’s often assumed when children reach a certain age or milestones they were taught to effectively employ the 7Cs of social competency. These skills must be taught and environments need to be designed to encourage the development of these skills while intentionally providing opportunities to test and hone these skills. Developing Social Competency in Young Children examines the role of the adult in designing the environment and using intentional strategies to maximize a child’s success. At the end of each skill discussed there are parent and staff educational tips and strategies that can be used in everyday life.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Understanding Social Competency Define Social Competencies Benefits of Positive Social Skills Providers’ Role Chapter 2: Communication Definition Associated Skills Expressing feeling Reading body language Listening Assertiveness Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with communication Chapter 3: Coping Definition Associated Skills Dealing with stress of nonsuccess Dealing with a crisis Anger management Self-control Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with coping skills Chapter 4: Community Building Definition Associated Skills Friendship skills Working in a group Cooperation Empathy Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with community building Chapter 5: Conflict Resolution Definition Associated Skills Aversion to violence Negotiation Resolution strategies Compromise Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with conflict resolution Chapter 6: Confidence Definition Associated Skills Positive self-image Sense of capableness Feeling loved Sense of acceptance Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with confidence Chapter 7: Curiosity Definition Associated Skills Adventurous De-stressing Desire to learn Explorer Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with curiosity Chapter 8: Control Definition Associated Skills Responsibility Self-discipline Choosing the right response Internalize self-control Providers’ Role Intentional teaching Environment design Strategies for encouraging skill Parent and Staff Education Strategies for delivering a message Tips to clips Children’s books dealing with control Chapter 9: Tying It All Together Available Assessment Tools Creating an Action Plan

About the Author :
Christine A. Schmidt is the owner of 2 CR Solutions, Ltd., a consulting, training, and technical assistance company for organizations that serve children birth through age eighteen. She has worked accreditation support staff. Schmidt is the coauthor of Great Afterschool Programs and Spaces That Wow! and author of The Child Care Director's Complete Guide: What You Need to Manage and Lead

Review :
"We have to get social-emotional learning right for young children if we are to be successful in anything we do in early childhood. It has to be intentional, planful and systematic. Christine Schmidt's book is a great place to start." --Thomas Rendon, coordinator, Iowa Head Start State Collaboration Office, co-author of Saving Play: Addressing Standards through Play-Based Learning in Preschool and Kindergarten "Well written and organized to guide any adult on how to handle the social-emotional situations that arise in group care. The real-life classroom examples are spot on! The strategies are tools that can be used immediately. Well done!" --Donna Keith, child care quality assurance executive director, Greater Miami Valley YMCA