Ask any mom of young kids and they may tell you about having concerns about their child’s social skills. Playing and identifying with their peers helps children feel secure. It also helps get them ready for their eventual time at school. Here is a guide to how you can encourage social interaction for your young child.
The first thing that you can do is to give your child plenty of opportunity to have social interactions. Join a group in your area, such as a moms club, a moms church group, etc, to plan out play dates. Or just get to know the other families in your neighborhood who might have young children. Use these groups to plan play dates. You can also find social opportunity for your child at local parks and attractions.
Babies
Babies do most of their playing side by side to each other instead of with each other. But just because they don’t seem engaged with the other babies, don’t assume that they aren’t gaining social skills. Studies have shown that they still take some of their cues from each other.
Toddlers
Toddlers start to move away from independent play to interacting with one another. You’ll start seeing the personalities coming out, from bossy toddlers to those that like to mediate. Encourage good social skills when conflicts arise by encouraging good behavior and practicing “do overs,” such as handing a toy to another child instead of throwing it.
Preschoolers
Preschool is an age when the power struggles start. These children are starting to learn what it means to be part of a group. They may try out different social techniques, not all of them positive. You may see some teasing, excluding or name calling. Again, encourage the good behavior, but also explain to your child in simple terms what it means to be a friend. Try to let them work it out, but step in if there is a need. Preschoolers don’t hold grudges, and conflicts are usually forgotten quickly.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.
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