COURSE
Ready to give your little one a social superpower? This course dives into the essentials of nurturing your child’s social skills right from the comfort of your home. We'll share practical, everyday strategies to help kids communicate effectively, build strong, positive relationships, and handle the twists and turns of schoolyard interactions with ease. From role-playing common social scenarios to fostering empathy and emotional intelligence, you'll uncover the tools to set your child up for a happier, more successful social life at school.
Think of this as your behind-the-scenes guide to becoming your child’s ultimate social coach. You’ll learn how to spot social and emotional cues and address them with age-appropriate responses, create opportunities for your child to practice their newfound skills, and establish a supportive environment that nurtures their confidence. By the end of this course, not only will you see your child bloom in their ability to connect with others, but you'll also be equipped with a skill set that positively affects their friendships, classroom learning, and beyond!
For over 30 years, Patricia Hunter McGrath has worked with children under six years old in schools across the US and abroad.
Throughout the years, some of the most significant topics of concern among parents continue to be: is my child making friends; and, does my child have good social skills while at school.
We want to support children and families in the classroom and at home, and that’s why we’ve developed this course for parents. We want to help parents by providing tried and tested skills and techniques to support your child’s social development at home.
Curriculum
- Overview (3:16)
- 1) How to support your child in developing resiliency and grit (11:53)
- 2) Authentic and meaningful conversations with children (10:08)
- 3) Language to support and expand emotional literacy (13:04)
- 4) Playing games at home to support socialization at school (9:14)
- 5) It's not fair to share (14:27)
- 6) Praise vs. Encouragement - How encouragement develops self-esteem and tenacity (11:16)
- 7) Strategies and ideas to develop flexibility (8:32)
- 8) Tried and tested conversation starters to help you have deeper conversations with your child (13:12)
- 9) Problem-solving (5:50)
- 10) How self help skills support and develop self-esteem (16:22)
- 11) Role switching - The power of flexible play (11:32)
- 12) Creating family agreements - A tool to nurture a connected family (11:50)
- 13) Building bonds through family dinner rituals (15:34)
- 14) Wrap up and Resources (5:41)
Your instructor
Patricia Hunter McGrath brings over three decades of expertise in Early Childhood Education to her role as an instructor, drawing from a rich background that includes leading the innovative Branches Atelier in Culver City, where a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum flourishes. Her extensive experience in nurturing children's symbolic languages through various artistic mediums has been pivotal in crafting learning environments that foster communication and self-expression. With a Master's degree in Human Development and her work as a founding member of the West Coast Collaborative, Patricia is devoted to refining educational practices that support children’s growth both at home and in school, ensuring they carry strong social skills into every classroom.
Embodying a heartfelt commitment to developing foundational social competencies, Patricia's approach as an educator is deeply rooted in dialogue and collaboration. Her work, informed by international experience and ongoing engagement with global educators, emphasizes the importance of a supportive home environment that aligns with school communities. As an artist and a dedicated advocate for children's early development, she leverages her profound understanding of child psychology to empower parents and educators alike, equipping them with strategies to nurture resilient, socially adept learners.