Encouraging Social Skills for the 4+ Assessments
/Did you know that top schools don’t just look for academic ability… They also want to see children who can share, take turns, and interact confidently with others.
Many children struggle with social skills at this age especially in unfamiliar settings. In 4+ assessments they may be observed doing the following…
1. Group play & activities – Can they take turns and share toys?
2. Following adult instructions – Do they listen & respond appropriately?
3. Confidence in new situations – Are they comfortable interacting with teachers & peers that they’ve never met before?
3 simple ways to boost social confidence at home:
1. Role-Playing Games – When I taught in schools across the country, I used to love playing charades with my students! What a great confidence boosting game.
2. Playdates & Group Activities – Help your child to get comfortable socialising. Find new activities to take your child to every week. Taking them to the same activities week after week won’t cut it. They will get used to the teachers and the children that they see there every single week. You need to expose your child to new activities as much as possible. Luckily, we live in a city that offers so much for our young children. A few weeks ago I booked a brand new Gymboree art class for myself and my son to attend for example. Next week, we will be going to a family splash activity at my son’s pool that we’ve never attended before. It does take time to look for and find these activities but you must do these things if your child is going to a 4+ Assessment this year! If you work with us, we will help you to find perfect classes for your child to go to!
3. Encourage Independence – Let your child order their own snack or say "hello" to new people. This is something that I’ve done with my son from a very young age and it is such a delight to see when we go for a coffee together that he always brings the cups and saucers to the cafe owner (who he adores now!) and he does it with such confidence and with a huge smile on his face!
Social confidence helps children stand out in 4+ assessments. How do you think your child would do with this aspect of the 4+ Assessment?
Don’t just expect to take them into a 4+ Assessment and that they will demonstrate social skills. This needs to be worked on through out the year in the lead up to your child’s assessments.
