Importance of good social skills

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Importance of good social skills

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Social skills are really important. Because at the end of the day, and what most parents don't realize, is that social skills is where we see children developing the necessary cognitive skills to be academically successful. A lot of parents get very focused on letters, the numbers and colors, and making sure that their children have the tools to succeed in school. But the reality is, they also need to know how to socialize and navigate their friendships. When we teach children social skills, what we're really doing is strengthening the executive functioning skills that children need to be academically successful. Things like focused attention, which we see through long term imaginative play. We see underlying memory skills being practiced when kids are in role plays, and acting out something. They have to remember to stay in character. We also see them learning skills like planning and strategy. And these skills really are what make children successful, both socially and academically. So, even though you might be focused on how well your kid is doing in school, which is really important; you don't want to forget how important the friendship piece is.

See Rebecca Eberlin, PhD's video on Importance of good social skills...

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Rebecca Eberlin, PhD

Psychologist

I am a California state licensed psychologist, who specializes in providing evidence-based treatment and assessment to children, adults and families with a variety of emotional, behavioral and developmental challenges.

A proud Wolverine, I graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Political Science. I then returned to California and completed my Doctoral training at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, an APA accredited pre-doctoral internship at Sharp HealthCare, and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Children’s Health Council.

I relocated to Los Angeles in the summer of 2011 to conduct prevention-focused research at UCLA’s Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the Global Center for Children and Families. During my time at UCLA, I became the lead psychologist and Director of Services and Operations at the UCLA Family Commons in Santa Monica.

Throughout the course of my career, my research and treatment interests have included working with children, adolescents and adults who struggle with behavioral and emotional challenges, such as depression, anxiety, impulse control disorders, developmental disabilities and other family-based issues. I also conduct parent education seminars that focus on a wide variety of issues including resiliency, stress, relationships, social media and friendship and bullying.

While my primary location is West Los Angeles, I also have offices in Northern California. If you are interested in obtaining coaching or cognitive testing services in the Bay Area, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please please visit my website to learn more about me, my practice and how therapy can work for you.

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Transcription: 
Social skills are really important. Because at the end of the day, and what most parents don't realize, is that social skills is where we see children developing the necessary cognitive skills to be academically successful. A lot of parents get very focused on letters, the numbers and colors, and making sure that their children have the tools to succeed in school. But the reality is, they also need to know how to socialize and navigate their friendships. When we teach children social skills, what we're really doing is strengthening the executive functioning skills that children need to be academically successful. Things like focused attention, which we see through long term imaginative play. We see underlying memory skills being practiced when kids are in role plays, and acting out something. They have to remember to stay in character. We also see them learning skills like planning and strategy. And these skills really are what make children successful, both socially and academically. So, even though you might be focused on how well your kid is doing in school, which is really important; you don't want to forget how important the friendship piece is.