So, your child probably has a favorite subject: tornadoes, Thomas the Train, Pokemon, My Little Pony, earthquakes, etc. Chances are you have read him books about it, watched shows about it, and heard every fact about Pikachu that you ever care to hear. How can you teach your child some conversational social skills?
The Three Things Rule
Teach your child that he can tell you three things about his topic, then that is it for a said time period. You may have to start out small: 3 things for 20 minutes and set a timer and work up from there.
Engaging in Conversation
Practice conversation skills in the car or whenever you have a few extra minutes. Say, "What do you say/do when you knock on the door and someone answers?" or "What do you say when you meet someone for the first time?" practicing these skills beforehand will take some anxiety and awkwardness out of these situations.
If you know you have a party or family event soon, focus on scenarios specific to that event. Explain what may happen at the event, who may be there, and what people may be talking about. Emphasize that not everyone cares about his topic of interest and that he needs to ask questions about other peoples interests after saying three things about his interests.
These strategies will help your child begin to think about others, their thoughts, and their feelings, making him more aware of the world around him. Also encourage him to learn about new things outside of his specified area of interest.
Have you used other strategies that worked well? Comment below and tell us about them!
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