Understanding Child Abuse Part 4

Children’s Social and Emotional Competence – As children grow, they develop increasing abilities to effectively express their feeling, solve problems, and regulate their own behavior which enriches the child’s relationships with parents, peers and family members.  As a result, parents’ frustration levels decrease due to the increasing ease in the parent-child relationship (Russell, Lee, Spieker & Oxford, 2016).  Parenting can be challenging when children are unable to communicate or “act out” as a means of getting their needs met.  Delays in children’s social and emotional competence can place them at greater risk for abuse (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016b).  Early detection of developmental issues is key to ensuring the well-being of children.

Extension programs can help build children’s social and emotional competence in the following ways:

·       Use both structured curriculum and informal interaction to teach children to share, be respectful of others, and express themselves through language.

·       Include discussions about the importance of feelings in programming for children and parents.

·       Create and post a chart that describes which social and emotional skills children typically do and do not possess at different ages.

·       Provide art programs that allow children to express themselves in ways other than words.

·       Foster ongoing engagement and communication with parents about their children’s social and emotional development and the actions the program is taking to facilitate it. Children often take home what they are learning at school.

·       Encourage and provide opportunities for parents to share resources with each other and exchange ideas about how they promote their children’s social and emotional development.

·       Take timely action when there is a concern—this might include asking another experienced person or staff member to help observe a child, talking with the parent, or bringing in a consultant (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016b, p. 20-21).

Social Connections – Parents with a stable social network consisting of family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors are better able to meet the needs of their children and themselves.  Families who are isolated with limited social connections, especially in times of need, have an increased risk for child abuse or neglect (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016b).  Parents need a network of people that can provide both tangible and emotional support.  Parents may need assistance in identifying community resources that help with building social connections such as churches, community programs, and support groups.

Extension programs can help build social connections in the following ways:

·       Set aside a welcoming space for parents to mingle and talk.  Provide coffee, snacks, or other “perks.”

·       Create opportunities for parents to plan social events that reflect their interests or culture.

·       Use regular potluck dinners with parents and children to reach out to new parents and foster new friendships.

·       Sponsor sports and outdoor activities for parents, including fathers.

·       Provide classes and workshops on parenting, cooking, health, and other topics of interest.

·       Create special outreach activities for fathers, grandparents, and other extended family members.

·       Offer parents who seem interested specific suggestions, information, or services to help them make social connections.

·       Offer resources to help parents overcome transportation, child care, and other barriers to participating in social activities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016b, p. 17).

Written By: Lisa Jo Shields, PhD, LMHC

Family Life and Child Development Specialist

*References Available Upon Request