Hesperian Health Guides
Chapter 10: Social skills
When people get along well with others, it means they have good 'social skills'. People develop social skills as they relate to each other, learn about themselves, and consider other people's feelings.
Having good social skills is important for everyone. To be part of any group — whether a family, a group of friends, or even a class at school — it is necessary to have social skills.
Social skills are more than just good manners. Good social skills let people:
- give and receive attention, affection, or help.
- express their needs, feelings, and rights in an acceptable way.
- communicate effectively.
It is important for children who are deaf or cannot hear well to develop good social skills. Their ability to get along with other people will help them be less isolated.
Like hearing children, deaf children must develop social skills by watching and interacting with the people around them. This helps them learn to do things like treating older people with respect, asking permission to use things that belong to someone else, or waiting for their turn to participate in an activity.