The social develÂopÂment of preschoolÂers is very imporÂtant to parÂents and child care providers alike. CareÂtakÂers want to make sure that their preschoolÂers develÂop socialÂly and emoÂtionÂalÂly, learn to coopÂerÂate with adults and chilÂdren, and make friends.
FosÂterÂing pro-social behavÂior in preschool is a key comÂpoÂnent to helpÂing chilÂdren become socialÂly comÂpeÂtent. In our Care Course PreschoolÂers in Child Care, we look at many difÂferÂent aspects of childÂhood development.
Today we’ll take a look at social and emoÂtionÂal develÂopÂment in preschool and how young chilÂdren learn to make friends.
Preschoolers and play
PreschoolÂers do a great deal of play learnÂing, and so it isn’t surÂprisÂing that they learn social skills through their play. Preschool-age chilÂdren tend to take part in two types of play. In the earÂly years of preschool, chilÂdren tend to preÂfer nonsoÂcial play. Though they are playÂing near or alongÂside othÂer chilÂdren, they do not interÂact. Social play develÂops in the latÂer preschool years, though it does not replace nonsoÂcial play. In all aspects of play, even indeÂpenÂdent and nonsoÂcial play, is enhanced by the presÂence of othÂer chilÂdren. You can watch chilÂdren move through the stages, learnÂing and develÂopÂing their social skills and friendÂships as they go.
As chilÂdren develÂop, so too do their social skills.
As three-year-olds, chilÂdren begin to see sitÂuÂaÂtions from anothÂer person’s point of view. Most Threes can play coopÂerÂaÂtiveÂly, at least for short periÂods of time.
Friends only become more imporÂtant by age four, when chilÂdren are betÂter able to take turns and share.
By the age of five, chilÂdren have develÂoped enough social comÂpeÂtence to get along very well with friends. Five year olds are even more skilled in social interÂacÂtion, and have a great need to make friends.
ChildÂhood friends are an imporÂtant part of the earÂly childÂhood expeÂriÂence. Through these friends and playÂmates, preschoolÂers learn a great deal about themÂselves and the world around them. They learn to comÂmuÂniÂcate and to coopÂerÂate, to resolve conÂflicts and to conÂtrol their reactions.
In PreschoolÂers in Child Care you will learn more about the social develÂopÂment of preschoolÂers and how to develÂop prosoÂcial behavÂior. You will find games, strateÂgies, and comÂmuÂniÂcaÂtion tips to guide chilÂdren along the social develÂopÂment process, and much more! If you are interÂestÂed in this course, or in findÂing a simÂiÂlar CourseÂbook, you can find all of our Care CoursÂes listÂed on our webÂsite.
Please let us know how we can be of addiÂtionÂal assisÂtance! Call us: 1–800-685‑7610, MonÂday through FriÂday, 9–5 ET, or email us days, evenings and weekÂends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help!
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