Problem
"My child is often complained about by teachers, other children, and their parents."
"My child has no friends."
"My child constantly argues with their brother or sister."
Reason
The child is still learning to express themselves, to talk about what they like or dislike. Inability to set personal boundaries and negotiate with others leads to conflicts. Over time, this behavior pattern can become ingrained, where the child starts to manipulate others, create situations of bullying, and "choose" a target for ridicule or even physical aggression.
Solution
- Thanks to the skill of assertiveness, a child learns to express their opinions and confidently stand up for their interests, while also showing respect to others in situations of disagreement.
- The skill of teamwork helps a student listen to the opinions of others and effectively collaborate, even with those who may not share similar views or interests.
- The skill of empathy teaches a child to recognize their own feelings and emotions, as well as those of others, developing the ability to see situations from another person's perspective and provide emotional support to themselves.
Games, Practices, and Techniques for Skill Development
We offer several effective techniques and exercises for the independent development of these skills.
"Talking to Toys"
Ask the child to choose their favorite toy (a teddy bear, doll, car, etc.) and imagine that this toy has its own voice and personality. Then, ask the child a few simple questions, and they should answer on behalf of the toy, imagining how it thinks and feels. Here are some questions to ask:
- What’s your name?
- What do you like to do?
- Who are your friends?
- Why are you sad/happy today?
- What would you like to ask your friend/parent?
Why is this exercise important?
- This activity helps children better understand the emotions of others and express their thoughts through words.
- It teaches children to listen and answer questions, improving their dialogue skills.
- The child learns how to connect with others through play, which develops empathy and the ability to express their feelings.
"The Practice of 5 Thank-Yous"
This practice can be done at the end of the day. The child needs to take 5 different colored pencils. While holding them, the child should say thank you for something they did or accomplished during the day (1 pencil = 1 thank-you). Then, the child should express 5 thank-yous to others they interacted with throughout the day. These thank-yous should be specific and simple: "Thank you, Misha, for sharing your spare pen with me today," "Thank you, Grandma, for the delicious soup at lunch," and so on.
Toys that can help:
3-6, 6+
The Children Kitchen Toys Set for kids helps develop several key flexible skills:
Social Skills: Playing together promotes teamwork, communication, and sharing, enhancing social interactions.
Imaginative Play: Encourages creativity and storytelling as children role-play different cooking scenarios.
Fine Motor Skills: Cutting and assembling food items improves hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
Problem-Solving: Children learn to navigate pretend play scenarios, enhancing their ability to think critically and make decisions.
Cognitive Development: Engaging with different food items helps children understand concepts like categorization, colors, and shapes.
Overall, this kitchen toy set provides a fun and interactive way for children to develop essential life skills through play.
3-6, 6+
The Expressions Egg Shaped develops several key flexible skills in toddlers and preschool kids:
Emotional Expression: Using the egg shapes for play can help children express their feelings and understand emotions.
Cognitive Development: Engaging with the toy encourages problem-solving, pattern recognition, and creative thinking.
Imagination and Creativity: The toy encourages imaginative play, allowing children to create stories and scenarios.
3-6, 6+
The Montessori mini tic-tac-toe game develops several key flexible skills in children:
Critical Thinking: Players analyze the board and anticipate their opponent's moves, improving strategic thinking.
Problem-Solving: The game encourages developing strategies for winning, fostering problem-solving skills.
Decision-Making: Children learn to make quick decisions, building confidence in their choices.
Social Skills: Playing with others enhances cooperation and communication.
Patience and Resilience: Waiting for their turn and handling wins or losses fosters patience.
This engaging game makes learning fun while developing important life skills.
0-3, 3-6
The Soft Baby Cloth Book Toy develops several key flexible skills in children:
Sensory Skills: Various textures and bright colors stimulate touch and visual perception, promoting sensory development.
Cognitive Development: Exploring animals and related concepts helps expand vocabulary and understanding of the world.
Imitation and Imagination: Playing with the book encourages imaginative play and storytelling as children create their own narratives.
Emotional Connection: Reading together with parents or caregivers strengthens emotional bonds and promotes social interaction.
This toy offers an engaging and enriching experience for infants, contributing to their overall development.
