Preschool Social Security--An Invaluable feeling

What You Need To Know

As 3, 4, and 5-year-olds grow, they often morph into social butterflies. By 3, children’s physical development has allowed them to move freely and they are curious about their environment and the people in it. Cognitive skills are developing and children are able to recognize those who are familiar and those who are not.

Other  significant social developments for a preschooler.

• Shows growing interest in other children and adults but still often prefers being with one adult.
• Begin to prefer parallel play, which is the act of playing near or next to other children.
• Have difficulty taking another person’s perspective.
• Become more sensitive, sometimes crying at the sight of another one’s tears.
• Frequently observe other children as if they are trying to figure out how they fit in.

• Prefer the company of other children rather than adults.
• Will express preference for playing with some children over others.
• Interested in developing relationships.

How You Can Help

Playing cooperatively and fairly are skills that preschoolers need help developing. They have difficulty sharing and often believe that things need to be their way. Helping children understand turn taking, sharing, and being respectful is a challenge when working with four-year-olds.

• Talk with your child about his social world. Bring up some of your childhood memories and see if it sparks more conversation with your little one.
• Encourage an upbeat, problem-solving attitude. . You can encourage this attitude when giving reasons for social rejection (like “Maybe he’s just shy,” or “maybe he just wants to play by himself for a while.”)
• Be supportive when your child is upset. When parents respond in soothing ways, kids are less likely to direct negative emotions at peers.
• Don’t offer material rewards for helpful, prosocial behavior. Research strongly suggests that parents undermine our kid’s impulses to be helpful when we offer tangible rewards for being kind.
• Be a role model. “I thanked our mailman for handing me the mail today. He works hard and I want him to know that I appreciate him”.
• Avoid bad influences – Kids who play in negative groups become less socially competent.
• Watch for peer rejection and bullying. You can tell your child to stand up for themselves by saying “That isn’t nice and I don’t like it” if being pushed around.

Helping your child become socially competent at a young age is crucial. In the beginning years, kids are more forgiving when others are not socially on track. It’s more difficult for an older child to catch up and fit in and even more difficult for a parent to watch it happen.

For more on this topic, see the complete article:

http://www.education.com/reference/article/social-development-preschool-children/