Social Skills
 The HighScope approach gives adults the tools they need to help children develop social abilities that contribute to their readiness for school and enable them to solve problems without resorting to aggression or retreating into avoidance.
Early social and emotional experiences can shape the rest of a child’s life. While children’s first and primary social experiences take place at home, high-quality child care and preschool programs support and supplement family relationships. These early social experiences influence children's later ability to form satisfying relationships with family, friends, and workmates.
► Five major social learning areas are of special importance in HighScope preschool programs. These are:
• Taking care of one's own needs
• Expressing feelings in words
• Building relationships with children and adults
• Creating and experiencing collaborative play
• Dealing with social conflict
HighScope training and publications provide teachers with specific strategies for encouraging children's social development in the five key areas listed in the box at right.
HighScope's six-step conflict resolution process is one group of teaching strategies that teachers find especially useful. Teachers use the six steps summarized below to help children settle disputes and conflicts. Children can often carry out this sequence on their own by program’s end.
• Approach calmly, stopping any hurtful actions. Place yourself between the children, on their level; use a calm voice and gentle touch; remain neutral rather than take sides.
• Acknowledge children's feelings. Say something simple such as “You look really upset;” let children know you need to hold any object in question.
• Gather information. Ask “What's the problem?” Do not ask “why” questions as young children focus on that what the problem is rather than understanding the reasons behind it.
• Restate the problem: “So the problem is...” Use and extend the children’s vocabulary, substituting neutral words for hurtful or judgmental ones (such as “stupid”) if needed.
• Ask for solutions and choose one together. Ask “What can we do to solve this problem?” Encourage children to think of a solution but offer options if the children are unable to at first.
• Be prepared to give follow-up support. Acknowledge children’s accomplishments, e.g., “You solved the problem!” Stay nearby in case anyone is not happy with the solution and the process needs repeating.
Adults respect children’s ideas for solving problems, even if the options they offer don’t seem fair to adults. What’s important is that children agree on the solution and see themselves as competent problem-solvers.
HighScope emphasizes the need to create a warm and nurturing environment in preschool, not only because this helps children form trusting relationships with others but also because of its impact on learning in all areas. When the preschool classroom's social climate is positive and supportive, children are likely to become engaged and motivated learners. When the climate is harsh or punitive, children are apt to turn away from school. HighScope's teaching practices provide a sound foundation that gives teachers the confidence and skills to relate well to children and support learning in every curriculum area.
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related training
2-Day Workshops
Conflict Resolution With Young Children (WK518)
View complete descriptions and current training available in our training catalog »
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