The Importance Of Socialisation & Making Friends In Your Child's Development
Your child is like a sponge. From early years to adolescence, interactions with those around them help to form an understanding about social norms and behaviour - helping them make friends, learn and have fun! Subsequently socialisation through exposure to different people plays a pivotal role in in your child’s development and influences their ability to learn about the wider world.
The Importance of Child Socialisation in The Early Years
The fundamental point of socialisation is for your child to be able to function successfully in a social community - “success” in this context being the ability to communicate and remain relaxed in a social environment. Naturally parents, siblings and the wider family are often the first exposure a baby has to other human beings, the differences in other people's behaviour and personality. From their first months, recognition of your voice and face, rewarded with a smile, form the basis of initial interactions and being the process of socialisation (and brighten your day)!
Socialisation within the early years (0-4) brings the following benefits:
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- Begin to converse with children their own age (rather than with their parent) - this brings a new set of challenges when both participants are at a similar formative stage. It may result in your child taking the lead for the first time
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- The recognition that “give and take” is a fundamental quality to human connections. With babies, this is simple game playing with giving a smile when their name is called.
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- How to take turns and appreciate the art of patience! With little ones aged 1 ½ to 3 it can sometimes feel like it’s “me me me” all the time. That’s because to them it is! They are egocentric. Placing them in a scenario when other people are competing for attention will start to teach them about other people’s needs.
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- Empathy for others emotions and making up when things go wrong. Exposing your child to a scenario where their behaviour causes another child’s unhappiness will help them experience what the dynamics of human communication are and the impact of negative behaviours on others.
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- Self-control by recognising that things will not always go their way - having a tantrum - and making up!
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- Dealing with rejection! It is difficult to see our little ones facing the tougher lessons of life but not everyone can be friends straight away or all the time. Learning how to accept this “knock-back” is a vital social skill in life.
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- Begin to choose words to describe their feelings and thoughts. With exposure to new situations comes exposure to a broader range of vocabulary and the recognition of its appropriate use
- Understanding another child’s point of view and accepting it
- Growth of confidence. Within a group setting, this comes with meeting new friends and exposure to new experiences.
One quality that is an extremely beneficial outcome from making friends and group socialising is curiosity. Stimulating the exploration of their surroundings through offering fresh environments helps your child learn through experience, from others, ask questions and draw their own conclusions. This sense-making is fundamental to their further development as they approach ages 4 and above.
Child Socialisation Opportunities In The Sunshine Coast
Early Years - 0-5
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- Learning Beyond Walls “Stay & Play” session - bring the little one to our weekly "Stay & Play” session. These promote socialisation in a natural setting for ages 0-5
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- Playgroup Queensland- join online, your first year is free and you can take part in one of many playgroups on the coast.
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- Events at the Sunshine Coast libraries- these are mostly free and provide excellent opportunities to sample some of the well known child centres activities held on the coast. They also run free, weekly ‘Rhyme Time’ for 0-2 year olds and ‘Story Time’ for 3-5 year OLDS. They are often followed by a toy lending library, providing socialising opportunities for parents and little ones.
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- Natureweavers has a nature based WildPlay Bush playgroup held every term which incorporates all aspects of the local flora and fauna into their interactive and adventure filled sessions.
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- Wildlings Playgroup is held weekly, offering an early taster of forest schooling and a chance for parents and young children to meet with like minded families and spend time together in nature.
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- Baby Sensory- held in various locations around the coast. Your baby can attend until they are 13 months and experience a whole world of sensory delights.
- Gymbaroo- also held at various locations around the coast, children will develop their sensory perceptions, gross and fine motor skills and social skills at these exciting, fun sessions.
5 & Above
- Learning Beyond Walls ‘3-5, 5-8 and 8-11 Workshops’ - join in one of our innovative, learning workshops. Teach your child to appreciate the natural world by learning within it without the confines of a classroom. See our ‘workshops page’ for further information.
- Natureweavers Offers forest school sessions filled with exploration and wonderment for school aged children. As does Wildlings, each with their own unique style and skills. Children can learn Bush crafts and develop their sense of achievement, teamwork and confidence to name a few.
Final Word
Whether they are homeschooled or attend traditional school, exposing your child to managed social environments helps them understand social settings and what is acceptable with other children and adults. This early exploration of new environments and settings equips them with the emotional intelligence to form healthy relationships going forwards.
