Kids need soft skills in addition to hard skills.
Straight A’s and raw talent are great, but kids need more than that to be successful. They need confidence, resilience, and people skills—essential traits known as soft skills.
Patrick Dickerson, a professional speaker and consultant, shared how to help kids build these qualities, helping parents raise kids who are not just smart but socially strong, well-rounded, and ready to take on the world.
Understanding Soft Skills
Soft skills allow individuals to connect, communicate, and create. Patrick explained, “A hard skill is what you know. A soft skill is how you show up.” He emphasized that soft skills are crucial for dealing with life’s challenges, such as the stress of a math test. Dr. Henry Cloud, a prominent leadership psychologist, said, “Character is the ability to meet the demands of reality.” Patrick believes that teaching kids soft skills is one of the best ways to help them meet these demands.
Essential Soft Skills for Kids
Patrick outlined four essential soft skills every child needs:
1. Communication
Communication is foundational for connectivity and creativity. Patrick noted, “If we can’t express ourselves, if we can’t actively listen, we’re going to have a big challenge.” He suggested practical activities like giving ‘TED Talks’ at home to help kids get used to expressing themselves in front of people. Active listening is another key component.
2. Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence, or EQ, involves empathy, social skills, and self-awareness. Patrick advised parents to help kids name their emotions, saying, “Instead of saying, ‘I know you’re mad,’ say, ‘Tell me, I know you’re frustrated. Let’s talk about that for a minute.'” He also recommended using stories with emotional themes to discuss how characters handle their feelings. Patrick emphasized the importance of teaching kids to pause and think before reacting, which he calls the “proactive versus reactive muscle.”
3. Resilience
Resilience is crucial for overcoming life’s challenges. Patrick shared, “Disappointment is being stripped from our kids because we’re trying to protect them.” He suggested normalizing failure and encouraging problem-solving. Patrick mentioned John Maxwell’s book, Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn, as a great resource for teaching kids that setbacks are opportunities for growth. He also recommended creating a resilience jar with challenges for kids to pick and overcome, helping them learn to say, “I can do hard things.”
4. Adaptability
Adaptability involves encouraging creativity and changing routines. Patrick suggested simple activities like using a box to explore different possibilities or letting kids plan the day to teach them that it’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned. He believes that adaptability helps kids learn to navigate life’s uncertainties.
Building soft skills in children is essential for their success and well-being. By incorporating these skills into daily routines and activities, parents can raise well-rounded, socially strong children.
Find more advice from Patrick on Instagram and learn about his professional services @patrick.dickerson.
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