Jean Tracy, MSS

Social Skills for Kids. Build Confidence Against Teasing. Start with Dad’s question… Empowering Kids + Gift Let them find their words. Kai listens as Dad asks, “What would you like to tell Caleb?” Caleb mocked Kai’s accent. Asking instead of directing shows Dad believes Kai can respond. Parent Tip: Invite Ideas Let your child try two possible replies aloud and choose one. Say, “I trust you to find your words.” Speaking Up: Set a Limit Practice: “Please use my name without copying my accent.” After practice, ask, “Was it simple? Direct? Clear?” Trim extra words together. Repeat this check whenever you rehearse. Confidence Question “How can clear words help?” They name the problem and tell others what needs to change. Growing Together Your trust helps courage grow. Family Gift At KidsDiscuss.com, scroll down to ‘Article Gifts.’ Insert code: ‘CONFIDENCE’ and download your gift.

Social Skills for Kids. Listening Builds Trust. Try this tonight. Trust Starts Here A safe place to share Kai tells Dad that Caleb mocks his accent. Dad listens. When children feel heard, they trust you with their troubles. Parent Tip: Listen Fully Catch the missing piece After listening, ask, “What else should I understand?” Your words can echo: “Your whole story matters.” Teach Clear Sharing Start with one moment Practice: “When ___ happened, I felt ___.” Kai might say, “When Caleb copied my accent, I felt embarrassed.” Daily Feelings Ritual Name your day At bedtime, each person shares one word to describe the day. Ask, “What made it feel that way? ”Why Listen? Discover together Ask, “How does listening help us?” It builds trust, prevents mix-ups, and helps us feel understood. Keep the Door Open Your listening invites tomorrow’s conversation. Family Gift At KidsDiscuss.com, scroll down to ‘Article Gifts.’ Insert code: ‘CONFIDENCE’ and download your gift.

Social Skills for Kids. Accent Teasing Hurts. Help your child steady themselves. When Classmates Mock + Gift Kai speaks in class. Caleb mocks his accent. Kai feels sad. Parent Tip: Protect Confidence Draw a shield together. Inside, write three strengths teasing cannot erase. Your words can echo: “Their teasing doesn’t define you.” Keep Cool: Pause Before Replying Practice relaxing your hands before answering: “Please let me finish.” Daily Feelings: Pick a Color At bedtime, each of you chooses a color for your day. Ask, “What made today feel that color?” Welcome happy and hard feelings. Parent Question: Why Pause? “How could pausing help when someone teases?” It gives you time to think and helps you keep your voice steady. Growing Strong Together Your child’s voice deserves respect. Family Gift At KidsDiscuss.com, scroll down to ‘Article Gifts.’ Insert code: ‘CONFIDENCE’ and download your gift.

Please share your thoughts. Maybe you say or do something that helps us, too.

Social Skills for Kids 45 Second Video Story How to Help Your Teased Child Teased? Empower Your Child + Gift When Jada is teased, her mom asks a thoughtful question that helps her think for herself. Watch how Jada finds the words to speak up calmly—and turn a hurtful moment into a new friendship. In this 45-second story, discover how one caring question can help your child build confidence and solve a friendship problem. Family Gift – Speaking Up with Confidence At KidsDiscuss.com scroll down to ‘Article Gifts’ and submit code word, “CONFIDENCE.”

Social Skills for Kids. Speak Up with Confidence. One question can help. Empower Kids Through Questions + Gift Jada beams: “Mom, Mateo and I are friends!” Mom’s question—“What do you want him to call you?”—helped Jada find her own answer. Relive a Speaking Success Invite your child to replay a respectful request that worked. Ask, “Where do you feel that proud feeling?” Offer a reminder question: “What do you want them to understand?” Keep Cool and Speak Clearly Teach your child to pause after one clear sentence so the other person has time to answer. Share the Day’s Feelings At bedtime, each shares one feeling and what brought it on. Ask: “What helped you speak up today?” Growing Together Small conversations help confidence grow. Family Gift At KidsDiscuss.com, scroll down to ‘Article Gifts.’ Enter code ‘CONFIDENCE’ to download your gift.

Social Skills for Kids. Stop Teasing. Start Talking. Why did Jada’s approach work? Speaking Up Builds Friendship Jada smiles. Mateo agrees to use her name and asks to be friends. Speaking away from his friends helped him listen. Parent Practice: Pick Your Moment Role-play spotting a moment when a teaser isn’t with his group. Practice: “(Name), please call me (your Child’s name).” Your words can echo: “Choose a moment without an audience. Stay Cool: Pause for an Answer Practice making one clear request, then silently count to three. Give the other child time to respond. Daily Feelings: Two Headlines At bedtime, each share one happy headline and one hard headline. Ask, “Want me to listen or help?” Ask Your Child “How might talking without an audience help both children?” Growing Together Small conversations can open friendship’s door. Discover the many parenting tips and tools waiting for you at KidsDiscuss.com

Social Skills for Kids. Speak Up with Confidence. Try Jada’s simple approach. Setting Boundaries: Clear and Calm Jada tells Mateo to call her Jada. She ends with a smile. Speaking directly without anger is a valuable social skill. Parent Practice: One Sentence Take turns making a simple request across the kitchen table. Keep voices steady and skip long explanations. Jada can practice: “Please call me Jada.” Keep Cool: Pause First Teach your child to breathe out slowly before speaking. Feelings are welcome—even when tears come. Daily Feelings: Pick a Moment At bedtime, ask: “Which moment from today would you replay or change?” Listen to the feeling behind the answer. Ask Your Child “How does speaking up help others understand what you need?” Growing Courage Together Small practice moments help brave words come more easily. Discover the many parenting tips and tools waiting for you at KidsDiscuss.com

Social Skills for Kids. Help Kids Handle Teasing. One question builds confidence. Empowering Kids “What do you want him to call you?” Jada’s mother asks. She trusts Jada to find her own answer. Let Your Child Choose Invite your child to draw two possible responses. Ask which feels right. “That name hurt. I believe you can choose your words.” Practice Calm Confidence Let your child rehearse with a stuffed animal: feet steady, slow breath, firm voice. Tears are okay. Practice helps words come. Daily Feelings Check At bedtime, have each share one moment they wish they could replay and one they would change. Ask, “What made you feel that way?” Ask About Speaking Up “How does speaking up help others understand what you need?” Growing Together Your quiet confidence helps theirs grow. For more parenting tips and tools, check out KidsDiscuss.com

Social Skills for Kids. Name-Calling Hurts. Before advice, try this. Helping Kids Handle Teasing Listening comes first “Four Eyes!” hurts Jada. Mom lets her let off steam without giving instructions. Feeling heard gives Jada room to figure out her next step. Parent Listening Practice Pause your advice When you want to solve the problem, silently ask, “What else might my child need to say?” Say, “Being called that hurt. I’m listening.” Practice Calm Confidence Let your child choose When your child feels ready, invite them to choose a firm reply. Practice saying it while pressing both feet against the floor. Tears are okay, too. Daily Feelings Ritual Two moments at bedtime Take turns sharing one comfortable moment and one uncomfortable moment. Build Problem-Solving Skills Ask, “What could you try next?” A Listening Home Your calm attention helps your child feel heard and capable. Read “4 Ways to Discuss Bullying and Teach Empathy + Video” at kidsdiscuss.com/articles/soc….

Social Skills for Kids How everyday moments make friends A Family Gift – Friendship Skills is included Help your child become friendlier, more welcoming, and more confident around others. In this Social Skills Short Series (only 44 seconds), children practice simple ways to notice classmates, include others, and build stronger friendships. Parents can use these everyday moments to teach kindness, friendliness, and social skills at home. See all my YouTube Shorts Series about Social Skills at youtube.com/@JeanTracy/short… Your Family Gift – Role-Playing Friendship Skills Go to KidsDiscuss.com Scroll down to Article Gifts. Enter the code word: ACT and download your gift.

Social Skills for Kids Raise Kind, Friendly Classmates A Family Gift to Build Social Skills Is Included. Parents Teach Kindness This mother’s warm hug carries a lesson: help classmates feel good and important. Kindness Practice: Switch Places Pretend you dropped your pencils. Let your child practice helping. Switch roles. Praise: “You stopped what you were doing to help me.” Friendship Habit: Remember Something Encourage your child to remember a classmate’s interest and ask about it tomorrow. Family Ritual: Kindness Echo At bedtime, take turns naming one kind act and how it might have made someone feel. Ask About Caring “How does kindness show someone they matter? Name two ways.” Growing Kind Hearts Your small lessons can brighten another child’s day. Your Family Gift – Role-Playing Friendship Skills Go to KidsDiscuss.com. Scroll down to Article Gifts. Enter ACT and download your gift.

Social Skills for Kids Kindness Builds Friendship A Family Gift to Build Social Skills is included. Welcome Kids Into the Fun Alma’s “Come and play, Nova” helps Nova feel noticed, important, and included. One small invitation can start a strong friendship. Parent Tip: Spot the Open Door Play “Who Could Join?” Ask your child to notice one classmate standing or playing alone and think of one easy invitation: “Want to play with us?” Praise: “You noticed someone needed a friend. That was caring.” Friendly-Classmate Ritual At dinner, ask: “What could you share tomorrow—a game, a seat, an idea, or your attention?” Grow an Inclusive Heart Ask: “What does including someone build—kindness, confidence, friendship? Why?” Your Family Gift – Role-Playing Friendship Skills Go to KidsDiscuss.com. Scroll to Article Gifts. Enter ACT and download your gift.

Social Skills for Kids Friendship Starts with an Introduction Family Gift Included A simple introduction can help a new classmate feel welcome. When Henry invites Fred to play, he helps open the door to friendship. Try a Friendly Introduction At home, ask your child to think of two classmates who might enjoy meeting. Help them practice: “Fred, this is Sam. Sam, Fred likes soccer, too.” Praise the effort: “You helped Fred feel included. That was thoughtful.” Practice Before School Take turns being the child who introduces two friends. Keep it light and let your child choose the words. At bedtime, make it a small ritual: “Who could you help feel welcome tomorrow?” Ask and Listen “What value grows when you introduce friends? How might it help them feel?” Small Moments Build Belonging One kind introduction can help a new friendship begin. Your Family Gift: Role-Playing Friendship Skills Visit KidsDiscuss.com, scroll to Article Gifts, enter ACT, and download your gift. #socialskillsforkids #makingfriendships #parentingkindkids #KidsDiscuss

Kindness Starts at Home Sharing Builds Friendship Family Gift Included Henry offers Winona his colored pencils. This small act of sharing helps her feel welcome and important—and gives their friendship room to grow. Try a “Helpful Eyes” Challenge Invite your child to spot one moment when a classmate could use a hand or a shared supply. Ask, “What could you offer?” Praise the action: “You noticed what your classmate needed. That was thoughtful.” Make Sharing a Friendly Habit Before school, choose one useful item your child would feel comfortable sharing. At bedtime, take turns naming one thing you could share tomorrow to help a classmate feel included. Ask: "How can sharing help you grow? Tell me two or three ways?" Keep Kindness Growing Small offers can make a big difference in a friendship. Your Family Gift: Role-Playing Friendship Skills Visit KidsDiscuss.com, scroll to Article Gifts, enter ACT, and download your gift. #Socialskillsforkids, #Friendshipskillsforkids, #Parentingskills, #Helpingkidsmakefriends

Kindness Starts at Home Sharing Builds Friendship Family Gift Included Henry offers Winona his colored pencils. This small act of sharing helps her feel welcome and important—and gives their friendship room to grow. Try a “Helpful Eyes” Challenge Invite your child to spot one moment when a classmate could use a hand or a shared supply. Ask, “What could you offer?” Praise the action: “You noticed what your classmate needed. That was thoughtful.” Make Sharing a Friendly Habit Before school, choose one useful item your child would feel comfortable sharing. At bedtime, take turns naming one thing you could share tomorrow to help a classmate feel included. Ask: "How can sharing help you grow? Tell me two or three ways?" Keep Kindness Growing Small offers can make a big difference in a friendship. Your Family Gift: Role-Playing Friendship Skills Visit KidsDiscuss.com, scroll to Article Gifts, enter ACT, and download your gift. #Socialskillsforkids, #Friendshipskillsforkids, #Parentingskills, #Helpingkidsmakefriends

Social Skills for Kids Helpful children build friendships. A Family Gift is included—keep reading. Helping Builds Friendship When Jasmine drops her school supplies, Marie helps. Jasmine feels noticed and important. One helpful moment can begin a strong friendship. Teach Children to Notice Try a “helpfulness scan.” Ask your child to notice a classmate with full hands, dropped supplies, or a puzzled look—and offer help. Say, “You noticed what she needed before anyone asked. That was thoughtful.” Raise a Friendly Classmate Encourage your child to include someone during partner work, lunchtime, or recess. Try a “backpack replay” after school. Ask, “If we replayed your day, when did you help someone feel welcome?” A Helpful Start Before school, say, “Help today—make someone’s day!” Your Family Gift—Role-Play Friendship Skills Go to KidsDiscuss.com. Scroll to Article Gifts. Enter the code word ACT and download your gift. #socialskillsforkids #makingfriendships #Pareningkindkids #KidsDiscuss

One kind act keeps kindness moving. Watch Luna, Henry, and Tom discover how easy it is to pay kindness forward. If someone is kind to you, be kind to someone else. Family Activity Ask your child to “Pay Kindness Forward.” Try it first in your family and then outward to others. Discuss the results.

Social Skills for Kids A friendly greeting helps classmates connect. See what Henry’s wave starts. Henry smiles and waves to Tom outside school. His greeting tells Tom, “I’m glad to see you.” That small moment can help a friendship grow. Help Kids Greet Classmates On the way to school, invite your child to think of one classmate they haven’t greeted lately. A wave and “Good morning, Maya!” are enough. If your child tries it, say, “You used her name and smiled. That made your greeting feel personal.” Build Friendly School Habits Encourage your child to remember something a classmate mentioned and ask about it next time: “How did your game go?” At dinner, try a friendly moment: each person shares one greeting they gave or received that day. A Warm Start Who might enjoy a wave from your child tomorrow? For more social skills tips, go to KidsDiscuss.com