Does your child lack Interpersonal Skills?
Does your child:
- Listen and respond to others appropriately?
- Self-regulate their emotions and express feelings successfully?
- Understand others’ emotions and needs?
- Notice non-verbal communication cues?
- Build meaningful relationships?
If not, you might be surprised to know that gymnastic camps can help!
In an age of all technology all the time many children are lacking the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills. Enrolling your child in summer camp amerces them in a variety of new experiences besides looking at a screen. Kids can learn how to effectively interact with others when they are exposed to different children in a structured environment like summer camps.
Why Are Interpersonal Skills Important?
Developing interpersonal skills at a young age can be crucial in children’s maturation and determining their confidence in interacting with peers. Developing socially appropriate behaviours from a young age is key in preventing behaviour challenges that are difficult to alter as children age (1). Later in life the communication skills that kids learn in childhood will help them succeed in both their personal and professional lives. Individuals with good interpersonal skills are often able to adjust and control their emotions better, connect with others more deeply, solve problems independently and create positive team environments. Furthermore, children with high emotional intelligence are expected to demonstrate better leadership skills later in life (1).
How does Summer Camp Build Children’s Interpersonal Skills?
Summer Camps, such as the interactive gymnastics camp offered here at the Academy, exposes children to a variety of different people in a fun setting. Social skills are one of the most important lessons learned through a camp environment as kids get the opportunity to practice communicating and bonding with other children day in and day out. Camps provide children more time for social interaction than a typical school day since, all 7 hours are dedicated to learning and playing with the peers around them. Research has shown that working on children’s social skills as early as kindergarten can have positive benefits on academic performance (2). Enrolling your child in summer camp will allow for early learning of the social skills needed to be successful in areas such as responsibility, independence, and cooperation (3).
Camp counsellors are also excellent at helping foster children’s ability to develop relationships with others through group activities, games, and contests. Social potential varies between different children, making it critical for adults to help foster the growth of social skills in the right direction (4) Camp counsellors have the unique ability to help children build their social consciousness by aiding in teaching feelings management and problem-solving strategies (4). Children are guaranteed to come out of a week of summer camp with growth in their interpersonal skills plus a few new friendships.
Examples of Gymnastics Summer Camp Activities that Build Interpersonal Skills:
- Teamwork when working with other campers to create crafts
- Problem solving when participating in group challenge’s
- Patience when waiting for turns on equipment
- Leadership when helping set-up gymnastics circuits
- Responsibility when cleaning up activities and managing belongings
- Independence during the camp day when regulating their behaviours
- Listening skills when following coaches’ instructions
- Cooperation when interacting with other campers throughout the day
5 Steps Parents Can Take to Develop their Children’s Interpersonal Skills
There are many ways parents can productively get involved in their children’s interpersonal growth. Often it is a journey of joint discovery between the parent and child which shapes a child’s learning experiences (5). Follow these steps to help your child develop positive interpersonal skill
1. Be a Role Model
At home or when interacting with others model the behaviours you want your children to demonstrate. For example, handling situations calmly, treating others with respect and positively encouraging peers
2. Have Children Practice
Aid your child in learning interpersonal skills by encouraging the use of good manners, talking to others kindly and being polite at home and with others.
3. Use Discrepancies as a Learning Opportunity
If your child displays actions that are inconsistent with the positive interpersonal skills you are working to develop, use this a learning opportunity for the future.
4. Have Children Participate in Social Environments
Social environments provide an opportunity for children to gain confidence in their ability to regulate their emotions and interact with children their age. Enrolling your children in extracurricular activities or summer camps can provide a safe space for interpersonal skills to grow.
5. Always be Supportive
Children need help in developing their interpersonal skills. As a parent you are a crucial support through this learning process.
References:
- Renck Jalongo M, editor. Teaching compassion: humane education in early childhood. Vol 8. Netherlands: Springer; 2014. 237 p.
- McClellanda MM, Morrison FJ, Holmes DL. Children at risk for early academic problems: the role of learning-related social skills. Early Child Res Q. 2000;15(3):307-29.
- McClellanda MM, Morrison FJ. The emergence of learning-related social skills in preschool children. Early Child Res Q. 2003;18(2):206-24.
- Khusnidakhon K. The importance of enhancing social skills of preschoolers. Eur Sci J. 2021;2(3):75-8.
- Mathieson K. Grown-ups Make a Difference! In: Social Skills in the Early Years: Supporting Social and Behavioural Learning. London: Sage Publications; 2005. 14 p.