How can school social workers help students develop social skills?

School social workers play a crucial role in helping students develop social skills, and one effective method they employ is through social skills training programs and role-playing activities. This approach allows students to practice and refine their interpersonal skills in a safe and structured environment. Social skills training often includes teaching communication techniques, active listening, conflict resolution, and cooperation, which are essential for successful interactions both in and out of school.

Role-playing activities further enhance this learning by providing students with opportunities to enact real-life scenarios where they can apply what they've learned. This experiential learning approach helps embed these social skills in a practical context, making it easier for students to transfer those skills to their daily lives.

The other options, such as assigning more homework, increasing competitive sports programs, or individual academic tutoring, do not directly focus on the development of social skills. While they may provide educational benefits or promote teamwork, they lack the targeted approach of social skills training, which is specifically designed to cultivate interpersonal abilities among students.