Why is socialization important to a child

One of the primary concerns of parents struggling to decide which daycare is right for them, is whether or not the daycare setting provides adequate socialization for children. While finding adequate child care is a must for many families, others must weigh the benefits of daycare vs. staying home.

The arguments on all sides are passionate and deeply personal. Is the home the best place to socialize small children? What are the effects of daycare on child development?

Once upon a time, parenting magazines and mom-gurus didn’t question the benefits of sending a child to daycare. Times have changed, and parents increasingly question the importance of daycare in child development. However, early childhood education, and daycare in particular, can be a positive influence on the socialization of a child. The following are the top 7 ways child care centers can have a positive effect on early childhood socialization.

1. Learning to be part of a team.

Children learn to work together

The child care center experience helps to teach children how to be a part of a team. Taking turns, sharing, and manners are all modeled and encouraged in the classroom. Children learn how to be good friends and what the boundaries of appropriate behaviors are in varied situations.

2. Learning to solve problem.

Building problem solving and reasoning skills are part of the curriculum in any high-quality child care facility. Children learn not to give up when confronting difficulties, and develop strategies for solving life’s problems, whether academic or social.

3. Trained staff.

Most parents have no idea what the early signs of learning disorders are. Others are reluctant to accept that their child may be facing cognitive or intellectual challenges. The trained staff in child care centers know how to spot signs of intellectual disability and behavioral challenges early. With early intervention children can be set on a productive path and pursue their greatness.

4. Get ready for school.

Child care centers help children ease into a school-like routine with daily schedules that include circle time and designated outdoor play time. A well-equipped and well-staffed child care facility not only mimics a school-like environment, but actively encourages age appropriate learning and learning through play.

5. Language skills development.

Exposure to a wide variety of words in the early childhood years has lasting effects on a child’s developing mind. Communicating with a wide range of people of varying ages helps your child to master verbal skills. Child care facilities often incorporate a language arts curriculum into their schedule. Storytime, dramatic play, and even conversing with other children help your child develop the skills to express themselves verbally. Children who don’t have adequate verbal skills often become frustrated and exhibit a variety of anti-social behaviors as a result.

6. Respect for authority.

While respect begins in the home, learning to respect authority other than one’s parents is a skill which many young children struggle with. Children quickly learn that respect for authority has real world consequences. Caring for toys, following instructions, sitting quietly while listening to a story or watching a television show all require children to listen to authority and comply. They learn that if the authority is ignored or defied, the consequences are broken toys and provoking the ire of classmates who are unable to enjoy the activity.

7. Easing separation and forging new bonds.

Separation anxiety is reduced by socializing

Children who attend child care, even part time, learn to function independently of their parents for an extended period. They learn, necessarily, that parents can be trusted to return. Leaving is not the same as being abandoned. They learn that there are routines and people other than their parents who can be trusted and counted on to meet their needs. Not only that, but they learn to develop strong peer relationships. And at the end of the day, they meet their parents with wonderful experiences and stories to share with their parents as well as “presents” to give. In short, their world expands exponentially, and that eases the transition into school.

Quality child care is a challenge to find, as each parent must decide which facilities and programs best fit their needs. Some parents will not consider a child care facility that doesn’t allow them to monitor the classroom from their computer. Children with special needs would need a facility with trained medical professionals on staff. And many others need flexible hours to meet their demanding schedules.

Regardless of what your own child care needs are, you can be sure that the child care experience will have a positive effect on socialization for children.

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Early childhood is a special time in life for parents and children alike. During their formative years, children gain exposure to new concepts and environments whilst also building social skills which will carry them through their adult life. Some children may be apprehensive about interacting with their peers for the first time, but they will soon start to develop their social skills and friendships whilst at Valley Heights Preschool Long Day Care Centre. In this blog post, we will be sharing 4 socialisation benefits for children enrolled in day care.

1. Language and Communication

Through interaction with their peers, children develop language skills at a much faster rate. Children feel safe and comfortable around other children of a similar age at day care, and they are also given the opportunity to participate in activities such as storytelling, indoor and outdoor play and small group activities. Children are keen observers, and they will soon discover how to interact in a positive and healthy way with others.

Day care centres have a range of shared equipment and toys which children can use when available. Children quickly learn the concept of sharing with others and how to be patient, which are both vital skills that will be carried through to adulthood.

During their time at preschool, children are exposed to various personalities and cultures. Through their interactions with other children, they develop respect for people of all backgrounds and abilities. Every child is made to feel welcome whilst under the watchful eye of our educators, and the early childhood education setting is ideal for nurturing respect for others, their surroundings and property.

The ability to work with others towards a common goal is an important lifelong skill. Throughout early childhood education, children are given plenty of opportunity to engage in teamwork activities which bring many benefits and skills including:

• Cooperation
• Listening to what others have to say
• How to contribute in a positive way
• Respect for the opinions of others
• Focussing on the task at hand
• A sense of belonging

Give Your Child a Head Start in Life – Enrol at Valley Heights Preschool Long Day Care Centre

Socialisation is an important part of early childhood, and by giving your child the opportunity to enjoy an early childhood education they will grow to be well rounded, mature individuals equipped with skills that will carry them through their adult life. Valley Heights Preschool Long Day Care Centre is enrolling now, please call today on (02) 9826 0266 to secure a place for your child.

Sept. 1, 2020

Young children crave attention. They learn from their peers. They thrive on interactions that help them grow. So what happens when a pandemic puts socialization on the back burner? In short, they adapt — but the long-term impact is still unknown.

According to Dr. Jennifer Wojciechowski, a clinical child psychologist at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, everyone needs social interaction to stay mentally strong. But for young children in particular, learning how to connect with others is a vital skill for their development.

“Play and socialization are the ‘work’ of early childhood,” Dr. Wojciechowski says. “During this period, children are learning how to navigate social scenarios, such as when and how to join in with others, taking turns, conversation skills, emotion regulation, frustration tolerance, emotional expression and more. These lessons seem simple, but they are foundational to healthy social development.”

When socialization matters
From approximately ages 0-2, children are more interested in their toys than each other. It’s not to say that babies and toddlers don’t need interaction, but they focus more on parents and caregivers than they do on kids their own age.

“Very young children tend to engage in ‘parallel play,’” Dr. Wojciechowski says. “Their interest is in playing next to other children with similar toys or activities. They do not necessarily interact as frequently or intentionally as older kids do.”

Somewhere between ages 2 and 3, kids begin to notice each other — and learn important life lessons that prepare them for difficult transitions. The interactions they have at this foundational age make it easier for them to move into pre-K or kindergarten, as they can better integrate into a group learning environment.

It is also around this age where kids begin to understand the value of friendships. It won’t be until middle or high school when peer groups become influential, helping them develop a sense of identity. But prior to kindergarten, kids show a preference for certain friends, helping them discover what traits they value most.

The impact of lost socialization
No one truly knows how the COVID-19 pandemic and the lost socialization opportunities will affect kids. But Dr. Wojciechowski does have some reassuring words for parents: kids are malleable and resilient.

For parents who choose to keep their young children home, they are providing a sense of socialization within the family unit. And for parents who choose to send their children to an operational preschool, even the heavy precautions and separations are something kids can adapt to.

“Returning to preschool can help kids regain normalcy, structure and predictability,” she says. “Even with precautions in place, like masks and separated play stations, kids will adjust. They may resist the changes initially, but with ongoing adult support and reminders, they will get used to their new normal.”

Dr. Wojciechowski also points out that families often have different interpretations of safety recommendations related to COVID-19, and children notice these discrepancies. They may feel confused or anxious about what they are permitted and not permitted to do when engaging with other children. Additionally, young children have less awareness of personal space and boundaries, and tend to play and interact very close to others. This may cause some parents to limit all social interactions, or show a personal sense of anxiety when interactions happen.

Technology, such as video chat and developmentally appropriate apps, provides some socialization opportunities for young children; however, there are several limitations. “Young children have less experience with technology than older children, especially with video-based communication apps,” Dr. Wojciechowski says. “These platforms make it more difficult to pick up on subtle social cues. Kids are often overwhelmed or overstimulated by several people talking at the same time.” While it can be fun for kids to see familiar faces on screen, they lack the skills to fully navigate this new form of social communication.

How parents can help
In this strange and uncertain time, most parents are doing their best to get by. On the one hand, they have their own confusion and isolation to contend with. On the other, they are working diligently to create an environment with the most positive impact on their kids. It isn’t easy.

But according to Dr. Wojciechowski, worrying too much about the long-term effects of isolation on kids could add to the problem.

“Worrying may not be the best use of our time at the moment,” she says. “Instead, parents should try to focus on how to improve each day for yourself and your children, and how to find joy in these small moments together.”

The key, she believes, is to stay positive and keep the conversation going. Good communication can mean the difference between a child seeing the silver lining or slipping into a state of fear.

“Parents can engage their children in developmentally appropriate conversations and explanations,” she says. “This includes providing general information about the virus, explaining safety recommendations, recognizing and labeling emotions, and helping kids understand how to cope. The road ahead often feels daunting for parents, but if we commit to making each day better, the cumulative effects of the pandemic will surely be less dramatic.”