Social Competencies

Happy Friday,

I am off to Memphis this weekend for their music festival.

Today we will talk about social competencies. These are the life skills that youth need to make good personal choices, develop healthy relationships and to contribute to society. We can teach these skills in subtle ways and also in obvious ones.

At Oasis we spend a lot of our afternoon group time on communication skills and life choices. We spend our family sessions on communication. These are big areas. They include: decision making, planning, resisting, conflict resolution skills and more.

Really it is about how we get along with others and keep our self healthy. I know many adults who struggle with that one (me included). When one comes from a home environment that is dysfunctional, these skills are lacking.

Here are some tips:

Watch for opportunities to coach teens in good communication skills and peaceful conflict resolution. (not hard to do that in our shelters is it?)
Help youth recognize and name theri feelings
Help youth have empathy
Brainstorm solutions together with those in conflict
Teach nonverbal communication skills
Teach respectful communication
Help teens interact well together
Teach good decision making
Introduce diversity into your programs with volunteers of different backgrounds, ethnicity, etc.
Teach cultural sensitivity.

This is hard. I think of how teenage boys talk to each other...whew, not real respectful or sensitive!!

I would add, taking teens on field trips to experience new and different settings too.

I would love to know how you all work on these areas!

Have a great weekend!

LA