May 1, 2023 21st CCLC and JAKAPA: A Step By Step Guide
Youth Development and 21st CCLC Grant Programs Youth development is one of the four critical areas in any 21st CCLC grant program, and JAKAPA can
Dr. Lisa Riegel
May 25, 2023
Soft Skills are Essential for Child Development
Soft skills are essential for a child’s development, and parents play an important role in helping children develop these skills. Soft skills are those non-academic skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and creativity, that are necessary for success in life. Soft skills can impact a students’ academic outcomes, general life happiness, credential or degree attainment and health outcomes. Soft skills are not something that is often taught in school the way math or science is, so it’s up to parents to help their children develop these skills.
Here are some tips on how parents can help their children develop soft skills at home, including self-management skills, innovation skills, social engagement skills, emotional resilience, and cooperation skills.
Self-Management Skills
Self-management skills are essential for a child’s development. They include a person’s ability to manage their time, tasks and responsibilities. They also help them stay organized, follow rules and complete work consistently. Parents can help their children develop these skills at home. Parents can help their children learn self-management skills by teaching them how to set goals and prioritize tasks. Parents should also help their children develop time management skills, as this will help them stay organized and focused on their tasks. Try helping your child predict how long it will take for them to complete their work and then create a to do list. They can use timers to help them keep track of time so they are not late. Calendar reminders, daily check ins on goals they are actively working on and discussions about what they did that helped them succeed or fail can help students become more self-aware and determine the best methods they can use to manage the many things we need to attend to in life, school and work.
Ready to See What JAKAPA
Can Do for You?
"My JAKAPA demo quickly helped me understand how easy it would be to implement THE JAKAPA soft skill solution IN My school."
—Missouri Educator
Innovation Skills
Innovation skills are important for children to develop, and parents can help their children develop these skills at home. Parents can help their children develop their creativity and problem-solving skills by having them work on puzzles, play board games, or participate in other activities that require them to think outside the box. Parents should also encourage their children to try new things and think of new solutions to problems. Additionally, parents should provide their children with opportunities to work on projects or participate in activities that require them to use their creativity. Try making up stories together, invent a new gadget or solution to a household problem, such as how to organize spaces or use leftover supplies to build something. Listen to music, watch movies or read stories and discuss the underlying themes and how they relate to life. Encourage risk taking and out of the box thinking.
Social Engagement Skills
Social engagement skills are necessary for a child’s development, and parents can help their children develop these skills at home. Parents should encourage their children to engage in conversations with others and practice active listening. Additionally, parents should help their children learn to work together with others by having them work on group projects or participate in activities that require teamwork. Parents should also help their children learn the importance of compromise and respect for others. Try having family dinners with no technology and have discussions about your day, how you feel about various things that happened and what you can do to resolve conflict. Share ways that you meet new people, start conversations and present yourself as socially warm and trustworthy. Discuss people in your life who you count on and what they do to earn your trust.
Emotional Resilience
Emotional resilience is essential for a child’s development, and parents can help their children develop this skill at home. Parents should help their children learn how to cope with their emotions by understanding and validating their feelings. Teach your children to recognize and manage their emotions by teaching them techniques such as deep breathing, counting to ten, and positive self-talk. Compliment your children, so they can manage their confidence and understand their gifts and strengths. Additionally, parents should help their children learn how to set boundaries, as this will help them manage their emotions and relationships. Parents should also help their children learn to be assertive and express their needs in a respectful manner.
Cooperation Skills
Cooperation skills are important for a child’s development, and parents can help their children develop these skills at home. Try working together on things. Maybe cook together or divide up chores and work side by side to complete them. Give your children responsibility and then praise them when they come through and do their part. Encourage your children to find ways to participate on teams, play group video games or work. Parents should also encourage their children to compromise and negotiate with others, as this will help them learn the importance of compromise and respect for others. Additionally, parents should help their children learn how to manage conflicts in a healthy and productive way.
Ready to See What JAKAPA
Can Do for You?
"My JAKAPA demo quickly helped me understand how easy it would be to implement THE JAKAPA soft skill solution IN My school."
—Missouri Educator
Parents Play an Important Role in Developing Soft Skills!
Overall, soft skills are essential for a child’s development and parents play an important role in helping children develop these skills. By teaching their children self-management skills, innovation skills, social engagement skills, emotional resilience, and cooperation skills, parents can help their children develop the skills they need to be successful in life.
For a deeper dive into how to develop your child’s soft skills please visit our Comprehensive Parent Guide to Student Soft Skills.
