A robust conversation with Diana Cortese, a board-certified Behaviour Analyst, former Special Education educator and founder of Teach Social Skills, where Diana explains what social skills are and how we can all incorporate them into the lives of our children for life-long happiness and success.

TIMESTAMP:

0:00  Welcome and introduction to the show.
3:18  Vonne shares her loss and opens the discussion with Diana about things missing in the educational system.
5:06  Diana discusses her background and what drove her to do the work she does today teaching social skills to kids based on what she discovered was missing in the educational system.
10:40  Vonne discusses with Diana seemingly positive connections that aren't so positive, more about what's missing in the school system and what needs to change, and how this positively impacts our kids.
15:53  Vonne and Diana discuss what social skills really are and the work she does with various ages from 4 to 10 to give them a lasting and strong foundation of agency and independence.
23:12  Making these skills last in highly competitive school and social culture.
29:59  How these early social skills can help in conflict using an example of getting cut off in the lunch lineup or bullying.
35:16  The importance of being heard so kids can feel they have somewhere and someone to go to when they're in trouble. Gaining autonomy.
38:11  Social skills are not just for "special needs" kids, but for every child and adult.
40:53  Diana and Vonne discuss their most important lessons learned in parenting.
45:53  Mental health and the value of having a social skills foundation to help create a culture of connection, openness and trust. What happens if we don't in the family and socially.
50:40  The importance of watching your child grow into who they really need to be.
1:01:32  Diana's resources and where to find her.
1:04:02  One last tip from Diana to help parents connect more with their child and last question: is child behaviour the result of nurture or nature?
1:07:56  Closing out the show and a big thank you to Diana for being a guest!
1:09:33  End. Music.

DIANA'S SOCIAL:

www.facebook.com/southbaykidsconnection
twitter.com/sbkidsconnect
www.linkedin.com/in/diana-cortese-05b9827/
www.instagram.com/teachsocialskills/

DIANA'S WEBSITES:

www.southbaykidsconnection.com
(in person Social Skills groups that is run weekly)
www.teachsocialskills.com
(online course: professional development for Special Educators)

LINKS TO ANDREA'S EPISODE: "Keeping your kids safe from tech troubles!"

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