Problem: How can I make notes with bullet points in this paragraph? In this way, parents can advise their children about helpful approaches for interacting with peers, direct them to the most useful social strategies, and support them as they try out new ideas. Of course, this kind of coaching works only when parents themselves are socially skilled or are following a prepared script. In an Australian study, researchers found clear differences between the coaching methods used by mothers of children with high peer status and mothers of children with low peer status (Finnie & Russell, 1988; Russell & Finnie, 1990). Mothers of high-status children generally suggested positive social strategies, for example, that children propose alternative actions when they couldn't agree with another child. These mothers also suggested more rule-oriented strategies, for example, that children propose turn-taking instead of fighting over toys. In contrast, mothers of low-status children tended to suggest avoidance strategies, for example, that children ignore peers' unfriendly behavior, or they suggested nonspecific tactics, such as just "getting to know" the other child or "staying out of trouble." When they actually joined in the children's activities, the two groups of mothers showed different levels of social skill. The mothers of high-status children encouraged communication among the children generally and actively helped their own child join in conversation. Need Assignment Help?