Socialization is critical to support healthy development in children. It helps them garner cognitive and social skills, as well as emotional intelligence. This is why at Kiddie Academy®, we foster an environment where children not only socialize with one another, but also learn valuable lessons along the way.
One of the six outcomes our Life Essentials® curriculum focuses on is connection. We encourage this through lessons and experiences that allow children to practice verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. This instills important characteristics like empathy and compassion. It also helps them learn to work as part of a team – a valuable skill they can use later in life.
Here are just some of the ways Kiddie Academy uses socialization to generate connection and overall development:
- Center based learning lets children play together to build resilience and learn conflict resolution
- Allowing children to explore independently while also providing opportunities for educators to deliver small-group instruction
- Focusing on helping children build relationships with each other and with familiar adults
- Teaching children to identify and express emotions through stories, games, songs, and more.
All that said, it’s important to recognize that socialization can feel intimidating to some children. Here are some ways to make it less scary:
- Engage young children in parallel play first (playing side by side but not necessarily together) – this allows them to take their time getting comfortable with others
- Encourage children to take the lead when they’re in familiar situations, such as with friends or family
- Prepare your child with what to expect before heading into a social situation either by talking or acting it out
- Provide your child with coping strategies like breathing techniques that they can use if they find themselves getting overwhelmed
Giving children the opportunity to socialize with one another at a young age can have a big impact on their ability to thrive in the future. Experience it for yourself by visiting our website or scheduling a tour at an Academy near you!
