Social Skills for Teens: How Parents Can Help

October 30, 2024

Social skills are an essential part of growing up, especially during the teenage years. Good social skills help teens feel more confident, improve their communication, and prepare them for the adult world. By practicing these skills now, teens can build a foundation for positive relationships and prepare them for the future.

Benefits of Developing Social Skills in Teenagers

Social skills are more than just getting along with others—they’re about navigating life with confidence and building a fulfilling future. Here are some ways they can benefit teenagers:

• Boosting Confidence: When teens feel comfortable interacting with others, their self-confidence improves.
• Future Career Success: Strong social skills are highly valued in the workplace. From interviews to teamwork, these skills are essential for achieving career goals.
• Stronger Friendships: Social skills are the key to making friends who provide support, understanding, and enjoyment.
• Improved Communication Skills: Knowing how to express ideas and listen to others is a skill that benefits teens in all areas of life.

List of Social Skills for Teens to Develop

Here are some core social skills every teen can practice and develop to thrive in their social lives:

1. Active listening
2. How to communicate clearly
3. Empathy
4. Problem-solving
5. Assertiveness
6. Being aware of body language
7. Respecting boundaries
8. Teamwork
9. How to resolve conflicts
10. Adaptability
11. Positivity
12. How to negotiate
13. Patience
14. Self-control
15. Humor
16. How to take responsibility
17. How to show appreciation
18. How to initiate conversations
19. How to ask for help
20. Giving and receiving feedback
21. How to handle rejection
22. Respecting diversity
23. Time management
24. Active participation
25. Self-advocacy
26. Trust-building
27. How to set goals
28. Mindfulness
29. Encouraging Others
30. How to apologize sincerely

Signs that a Teen is Struggling with Social Skills

Sometimes, teens may struggle to develop these skills. Signs that a teen might need extra support include:

• Difficulty making friends
• Frequent arguments with peers or siblings
• Ineffective communication
• Limited eye contact or body language
• Insensitivity to others’ feelings
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Spending excessive time alone

Ways Teens Can Improve Social Skills

Improving social skills doesn’t happen overnight, but with practice and effort, teens can make steady progress. Here are some ways for teens to work on their social abilities:

• Practice Confidence-Building Activities: Simple activities like making small talk or starting a conversation with someone new can help boost confidence. If it is difficult to get your teenager to start talking, consider using a conversation starter.
• Participate in Extracurricular Activities: Joining a club or team sport encourages teamwork and helps develop communication skills. Sports require communication while working towards a common goal, so it is a great place to develop social skills. If the teenager is intimidated by the idea of playing sports, consider joining a more relaxed activity.
• Read Books on Communication Skills: There are many teen-friendly books with advice on talking to others and handling social situations. One classic suggestion is “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. If your teen does not like reading, there are countless YouTube channels dedicated to teaching how to improve communication and confidence.
• Practice Conversational Skills: Practicing with family members or friends can make conversation feel more natural. Before an important interview, it can help to role-play and have a mock-interview.

Social Skills Games for Teens

Games are a fun way for teens to practice social skills without feeling pressured. It doesn’t get much better than learning while having fun! Consider implementing these games at a family game night to develop social skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving:

1. Charades: Charades helps teens learn how to communicate without words by using body language and facial expressions. It also teaches them to be patient and pay attention to others. Charades can boost confidence and help teens feel more comfortable expressing themselves in front of a group.
2. Pictionary: In Pictionary, players draw pictures to help teammates guess a specific word or phrase. It’s a great way to learn teamwork, as players need to understand each other’s ideas and help each other guess.
3. Two Truths and a Lie: This game has each player share three things about themselves—two true statements and one false one—while everyone else tries to guess the lie. While there aren’t points or winners, it can be a great conversation starter for teens.
4. Codenames: Codenames, players give one-word clues to help their team guess the right words on a board. This game requires teamwork as everyone has to understand each other’s clues. Teens learn to communicate and trust their teammates to make the right guesses.
5. Apples to Apples: Apples to Apples involves matching nouns to descriptive cards, often leading to hilarious combinations. Players take turns judging which noun fits the description best, and others play cards they think will make the judge laugh or agree.

Social Skills Activities for Teens

Here are some list of activities that teenagers can engage in to build social skills:

1. Team Sports: Joining a team sport, like soccer, basketball, or volleyball, teaches teens how to work with others toward a common goal.
2. Drama or Theater Club: Drama and theater help teens become comfortable with public speaking and expressing emotions.
3. Volunteer Work: Volunteering allows teens to meet people from diverse backgrounds and helps them develop empathy.
4. Debate Club: Debate helps teens think on their feet and learn how to express ideas clearly and respectfully. It’s a great way to build confidence in speaking and listening, while also learning to see issues from different perspectives.
5. Youth Groups or Community Service Organizations: Youth groups provide a supportive environment where teens can connect with others, build friendships, and learn leadership skills.
6. Book Club: In a book club, teens get to discuss books and share their opinions. This helps them learn to listen, respect different views, and practice articulating their own thoughts.
7. Art or Music Classes: Joining an art class or music group, like a band or choir, allows teens to share a creative experience with others.
8. Public Speaking Clubs like Toastmasters: Public speaking clubs offer a supportive space to practice speaking in front of others. Teens learn to manage anxiety, speak clearly, and handle feedback.
9. Cooking or Baking Classes: Cooking classes often require teens to work with partners or in teams to complete recipes. You can also do this at home while following a recipe or YouTube tutorial!
10. Outdoor Adventures or Camps: Adventure activities, like camping or hiking, can teach teamwork, resilience, and trust. Being part of a group on an adventure helps teens practice problem-solving and builds friendships.

Conclusion

Social skills are learned with time, practice, and a positive attitude. If you believe your teen is struggling with social skills, there are plenty of things you can do to help them improve. You will likely improve your own social skills while helping your teen!
While it might seem challenging at first, teens can gradually improve with effort and patience. With these skills, they’ll be ready to navigate new social settings, make friends, and succeed in whatever they choose to pursue.