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6 Free Places For Your Kids to Practice Social Skills

Social skills include your child’s ability to communicate with others through verbal and nonverbal language. With a lack of socialization in the past few years, many parents are putting an emphasis on strengthening their children’s social skills. But, giving your child a chance to practice their social skills doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are 6, nearly free places, where your child can practice communicating with others. 

Library:

Check out your local library. Libraries are a free place that often offer group activities such as story times, craft activities, or board game meet-ups. These group events are a great place for your child to practice their social skills. Before attending story time at the library, talk to your child about what it looks like to be an active listener. Remind them that active listeners typically face the speaker, limit interruptions, and raise their hand if they have questions.

Religious venues:

Religious venues such as churches, temples, and synagogues offer a place where individuals with similar beliefs can connect. In addition to religious services, many of these places host community gathering events like kids clubs, craft events, choir practices, and youth group events. This can be a place where your child can practice finding connections with others in a similar community. It can be helpful to role play with your child before attending an event so they can practice what it feels like to speak to someone new, and not as familiar. 

Grocery Stores:

Consider bringing your child with you on your next trip to the grocery store. Surprisingly, the grocery store can offer some great opportunities to strengthen your child’s social skills. Children can learn how to ask for help, and interact with someone they don’t know, by asking where a particular item can be found. They can also practice the important skill of patience, by waiting in line at the register, or at the deli counter. 

Playgrounds:

The playground is the original, free place for play. It’s a great place for your child to interact and learn how to communicate with other kids. Before arriving at the playground, try teaching your child a social skill that they can practice once they start playing. Some important playground skills include taking turns, and following agreed upon rules. Explain to your child how they can practice taking turns at the playground, by waiting on a bench until it’s their turn with a swing, or waiting until their friend goes down the slide, before they have a turn. Following agreed upon rules is an important lesson, too. Explain that before your child plays a game, like tag, they should ask what the rules are so all of the children understand how to play the game correctly. 

Museums:

Many museums offer free admission for evening hours, or on certain days of the month. These are great opportunities for your children to practice their social skills. Quieter museums such as art museums can be a perfect place to practice keeping to a quieter noise volume, or listening to a tour guide. While, louder museums such as children’s museums can be a great place to practice cooperation, problem solving skills, and communicating with others. 

At Home: 

Don’t underestimate the value of play at your home. During playdates, your child can learn valuable lessons such as sharing toys, playing cooperatively, and respecting boundaries. Even if playdates are difficult to schedule, your child can also learn important social skills by playing with siblings and adults. Through games and imaginary play, children learn essential problem solving skills, effective communication strategies, and gain confidence. All of these skills play a vital role in strengthening your child’s social skills.

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