A new book has been published by Chan-seon Park, who has received much attention for his books for slow learners and their primary caregivers, including “Children with Borderline Intelligence,” “Borderline Intelligence and Parents,” and “Studying for Slow Learners.”
The author, who has been sparing no effort in providing continuous support to help slow learners take care of the details, has now turned to the topic of 'sociality'.

As we navigate a period of isolation and separation from others due to the COVID-19 virus and the spread of AI, which has led to the establishment of a more individualistic culture, many are talking about sociality.
However, in the same situation, the worries of slow learners are bound to be deeper.
This book explores how countless children with borderline intelligence and learning disabilities can reconcile themselves with the world around them.
You can learn about specific examples, from how to get along with peers to how to use social media in a healthy way.

So, does social skills simply mean the ability to conform to others' standards? Is there a way for slow learners to take charge and build relationships? Can't they be truly wonderful just the way they are? Can't they develop social skills without the pressure of conforming to others? Slow learners struggle with interacting with their peers.
It's hard to accurately understand your friend's intentions, and you may feel left out of conversations because you don't know what to say and when.
You want to participate in the game, but you hesitate because you don't know how to start, and you end up being left alone.
Every time I see this, I find myself pondering more deeply, "What should social skills be for slow learners?"
--- p.4

Slow learners often have difficulty accomplishing things on their own in everyday life.
From basic self-care to learning and relationships with friends, children experience trial and error in many areas, and naturally require help from parents or teachers.
For example, even when children their age are able to dress themselves and pack their bags, slow learners often struggle and are unable to complete their preparations without parental assistance.
As this situation repeats itself, parents end up taking care of their children so that they do not experience any discomfort, and the children gradually develop the habit of relying on their parents rather than solving problems on their own.
The experience of doing things on your own is decreasing.
If this kind of parent-child relationship continues, slow learners will begin to feel that even the things they need to do and are capable of doing are difficult without parental help.
--- p.29

Self-understanding also plays an important role in our relationships with others.
The better a child knows himself, the more likely he is to express his emotions appropriately and to have empathy for others.
Additionally, knowing what you like and what you're good at makes it easier to find common ground with your peers, which helps you make friends naturally.
Conversely, children who lack self-understanding may have difficulty expressing their emotions or reading the emotions of others, leading to withdrawal in social interactions.
Therefore, self-understanding can be considered the first step in social development that helps children build confidence and form healthy relationships with others.
--- p.42

To cultivate something through experience and enhance social skills, it must not stop at just experiencing it.
We must go through the process of looking back on our failures, improving, and trying again.
I've simplified this process into the FTR process. The FTR process is the process of Fail → Think → Retry.
It is a process of growth where you learn from failure, receive feedback, improve, and try again.
--- p.74

In today's world where digital devices have become a part of our daily lives, significant changes are also taking place in children's social development.
While opportunities to communicate in new ways through online games, social media, and video content have increased, the ability to communicate face-to-face in the real world is also decreasing.
For some slow learners, the digital world can be a haven for friendship and relief from loneliness, but it can also make it difficult to develop social skills in the real world.
--- p.123

In the age of social networks, parents often worry about this.
“Is my child feeling left out because he or she can’t keep up with the conversations of his or her friends?”
“Wouldn’t my child’s friends feel frustrated if they can’t respond appropriately in the rapidly changing online conversations?”
Slow learners process language more slowly than their peers and need more contextual understanding.
So, when friends are chatting quickly in group chats or on social media, there is a possibility that responses may be delayed and this may lead to feelings of alienation.
But if we look at this issue from another perspective, social networking environments aren't necessarily bad for slow learners.
One of the greatest things about the online environment is that it doesn't force an immediate response.
--- p.126

The most important thing parents and teachers can do is to understand the emotions and difficulties hidden behind a child's behavior.
Behind every child's behavior lies some desire or wish that the child may not even be aware of.
Children don't intentionally cause trouble.
You are in the process of learning how to express and control your desires, feelings, and wishes appropriately to the situation.
To prevent children from becoming frustrated or giving up, parents and teachers should warmly look upon and encourage their children's small changes and efforts.
--- p.211

Social skills are not abilities that can be developed in a short period of time, such as a few months or a year.
It is a slow process of growth over a long period of time, a journey in which the child learns one by one through various experiences.
Therefore, it is most important to put aside your impatience and walk together with constant interest and warm encouragement.
--- p.236

As time went by, I also had this thought.
Many people say they lack social skills, but when I see them living well with good social skills, I think, 'You can live well even if your social skills aren't perfect.'
Sociality is the realization that not everyone lives in a perfect state.
That's why I don't think we slow learners need to worry in advance even if we lack social skills.
If you are lacking, you can learn little by little as you go.
I mean, thinking for yourself through experience.
In a word, sociability means the ability to get along comfortably and enjoyably with other people.

--- p.247