Is preschool too early to be thinking about your child’s social skills? Maybe not! According to the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, socializing in the little years aids your child’s ability to connect with people later in life:
“Every single interaction your child has, no matter how big or how small, helps them learn language skills, cope with emotions, and work within social norms. As your child grows, they will begin to learn how to identify their thoughts and emotions. They will also recognize the feelings of others around them, being able to decipher whether a person is happy or sad. They will be learning how to manage stress, resolve conflict, and fit in by communicating with others in their surroundings.”
It is, in fact, through interacting with their peers that your child grasps the basics of relationships. There are three key benefits of socializing your child in the early years.
Connection
Bonding with other children is a big part of building better social connections later in life. Have you ever watched a couple of kids play at a play date? From one minute to the next, the way they act, play with, and speak to one another can change with little to no warning! This is because they are still learning how to be patient, kind, and considerate. They have to figure out things that adults take for granted such as sharing, taking turns, and speaking calmly. If kids don’t get time with other children, they miss out on countless opportunities to improve these critical social skills.
Teamwork
Another important skill your child needs to develop with other children is teamwork. When kids play with Legos, build a block tower, or put together a puzzle with their peers, they exercise their problem-solving abilities and learn how to collaborate with others. Consider how many jobs and relationships in adulthood require these exact skills. The earlier your child has a chance to practice working with other people, the better off they will be later in life when it is time to get married, get a job, or be a parent themselves!
“As young children begin to interact more with their peers, they will develop important skills. Instead of automatically turning to an adult to solve a problem, they may try to figure it out on their own. By taking turns and sharing, your child will learn the importance of being part of a team. They will also understand better how to create bonds with others. These abilities will serve them well during their school years and show the importance of socialization.”
Assumption Academy
Communication
As adults, we are able to communicate our ideas, thoughts, feelings, and emotions, but this isn’t an innate ability. Consequently, kids have to learn how to communicate by spending time with other children. Of course, their communication skills may be a bit rough at the start. They may revert from time to time to how they communicated as a baby to tell you and others how they feel or what they want by throwing a tantrum, having a meltdown, or stomping their foot. With training, however, your child will learn these methods aren’t the most effective way to communicate and learn more appropriate and mature ways to express themselves.
Giving your child every chance you can for connection, teamwork, and communication while they are young sets them up for successful relationships further down the road. Just remember to be patient with them as they grow and practice these social skills! Be ready to step in and offer encouragement and guidance as necessary.