Under-Developed Social Skills Hinder Literacy
Kids who have problems with social skills inevitably struggle with early language and literacy skills. It only makes sense that when students have low social connections with their peers and teachers, their ability to learn anything—including reading—is affected. The early learning education system in America has made great progress in this area, with social skill learning becoming a prominent focus in the last few years. However, there is more work to be done.
As Ann Rosewater and Judith Meyers write in their report for the Childhood Health and Development Institute, in early learners, there is a deep connection between social development and literacy in children’s early school success—including achieving reading proficiency.
Integrating Social Skills with Literacy
Many teachers are challenged to find time to focus on social skill development due to the standardized testing demands placed on them. However, the integration of academic development and growing students' social skills are paramount to their success in becoming proficient readers.
Conversely, under-developed early literacy skills like oral language negatively affect social-behavioral performance. When kids struggle to find words because of a limited vocabulary, they have a harder time connecting with others.
As a teacher, finding activities that develop both social and language skills can be very difficult. But when these skills are taught together, students develop early literacy on a foundation of cooperation, self-control, and confidence, setting them on the path to greater achievement.
About AskMeno
AskMeno is dedicated to helping early childhood leaders grow in their young scholars foundational oral language and social skills necessary for reading and emotional well-being. AskMeno provides a play-based, teacher-facilitated supplemental curriculum that systematically and explicitly develops oral language and social skills through scaffolded, fun, and engaging learning activities.
