Prefer to listen? You can hear the audio version below.
Hi, I’m Natasha — but most people call me Tash
I’ve seen so many children struggle socially, not because they aren’t capable, but because nobody has ever really explained what’s going on around them.
You might notice your child trying so hard and still getting it wrong.
Trying to join conversations but saying the wrong thing.
Trying to be funny but upsetting someone instead.
Trying to fit in, but somehow ending up feeling even more left out.
They are genuinely trying to make a connection, but are often left feeling misunderstood and overwhelmed.
They’re expected to pick things up as they go, to notice unspoken rules, read between the lines, and manage big feelings in moments that already feel overwhelming.
For many children, those expectations are invisible.
No one has ever really explained how these situations work, or why people react the way they do.
So they keep trying.
And when it doesn’t go well, they’re often left wondering what they did wrong.
Because of that lack of understanding, children are often described as naughty or difficult when, in many cases, they simply don’t understand what’s expected of them.
Why social understanding matter
Social understanding is about making sense of everyday social situations.
It’s about understanding what’s expected in different moments, how other people might be thinking or feeling, and why certain behaviours are expected in the first place.
It’s also about being able to recognise what choices are available and what might happen next.
For some children, this understanding develops naturally just by being around others.
They seem to pick things up without much effort.
For many children, it doesn’t happen that easily.
When social understanding isn’t clear, everyday situations can feel intense or confusing.
A child might want to do the right thing but struggle to work out what that is, or why it matters in that moment.
They may miss things that others seem to notice instinctively, or feel unsure how to respond when emotions start to rise.
Without that understanding, behaviour is often misunderstood.
What can look like being rude, difficult, or defiant is often a child trying to cope with situations they don’t yet fully understand.
This is why social understanding matters.
“When children are helped to understand what’s happening around them and why, they are better able to make sense of situations, feel more secure, and respond in ways that feel manageable for them.”
What I do
I support children and young people who find social situations confusing or difficult to understand.
My work is educational rather than clinical or therapeutic.
I focus on helping children understand the thinking behind social skills and everyday interactions, so they can make sense of what’s expected and why.
Children are encouraged to set small social goals, reflect on what they’ve learned, and practise problem-solving in their everyday lives.
Stepping Socially with Tash is where I share what I’ve learned with families who are figuring things out as they go.
I talk about social skills, emotions, friendships, unspoken rules, personal responsibility, and the everyday moments that don’t always get talked about, but matter a lot.
Alongside lived experience, I have a degree in Psychology and Health and have spent years facilitating social learning sessions and mentoring young people.
Sometimes the posts here will be about younger children.
Sometimes they’ll be about teenagers.
Sometimes they’ll be about parenting itself.
But they’re always about understanding and walking alongside children, as they navigate their social world.
🌱 If this way of thinking feels helpful, you’ll soon find reflections, ideas, and practical insights shared here for you.
What I believe ❤️
I believe children do better when things make sense to them.
I believe confidence grows from clarity, not from memorising what to say or how to act.
I believe that when we stop assuming children should already know what’s expected of them in everyday social situations, slow down to explain more, and trust children’s ability to think.
We give them the space they need to understand, grow in confidence, and take personal responsibility.
— Natasha Leona
Understanding the “why” helps children choose the “how”