Getting on With Others

Teaching social skills has been shown to be an important element in children’s academic achievement. Children will not be willing nor able to learn unless they are socially and emotionally mature. Children who are socially cooperative and can manage their emotions simply do better at school.

Studies show that one in five children has some form of emotional problem; consequently, interactions with other people are possibly the most difficult area of life for many children. In John Cooper’s experience, the most effective time to help children learn to regulate their emotions is between the ages of three and seven.

In Getting on With Others, parents can learn what causes problem behaviour. The author examines programs that both successfully encourage children to cooperate, and help parent and child develop a closer relationship. Once cooperation has been achieved, techniques can be taught which help the acquisition of basic social skills essential for development, such as listening, sharing and taking turns.

Author John Cooper also considers approaches to teaching children about feelings, and methods to help children relax, reduce anxiety, develop assertiveness and handle situations involving conflict. The techniques described are clinically proven and research shows they are effective in changing children’s behaviour.