Reasons Why Socializing And Play Is Important For Children
Reasons Why Socializing And Play Is Important For Children
- Children meet new friends and develop bonds that may last through adulthood or even a lifetime.
- Children fine-tune their social skills and learn to read social cues, as well as set boundaries and problem-solve.
- Time spent with socializing with peers allows children to model positive behaviors, which are then reinforced by those same peers when they respond positively and play together.
- When children play, they learn to make and practice new sounds. They try out new vocabulary with friends and exercise their imagination through storytelling.
- Play allows children to consider problems and develop solutions. By testing their own abilities kids can learn to take a risk and try something new as well as figuring out ways to do things differently.
- Group play also develops the ability to co-operate, to function as part of a team. Learning to take turns to use a swing or a slide is an important part of developing the ability to interact well with others and to care about others.
- Children learn by playing both positive and negative ways to express their feelings. They understand how, when, and why to cope with feelings. It also enables children to communicate feelings about past events by controlling emotional expression through reenactment. These expressions are important to helping a child on a healthy emotional path for their life.
Safety Tips For Children Interacting As The Pandemic Rules Lessen
As some parts of the country “open up” and families are attempting to venture beyond their households, parents are faced with hard decisions about what children can do. If there is a vulnerable adult or child in the home, they may want to be more strict, rather than less strict, even as others relax their restrictions.
- Find out and educate yourself regarding the specific restrictions in your area.
- Communicate with other parents regarding the risks and details of any group interactions. Familiarize yourself with the health, travel, and exposure they may have had.
- Keep group social and playgroups very small.
- Encourage outdoor socializing and play.
- Wash hands frequently and equip children with sanitizer.
- Have the kids wear a mask.
- Talk to your child about covering any coughs or sneezes and encourage touching their own face or others.
The Takeaway
Socializing and play are both extremely important for children as they develop. The pandemic has changed so much of life as we know it and children are both trying to process the way of doing things and anxious to go back to their friends and interactions. Take the time to educate yourself as you learn to navigate with your children. Trust your gut, it is important to rely on your instincts even as things open up. Be smart and prepared.
If you're looking for fun activities and exercise programs for your kids and teens reach out to us at Gantry Kids & Teens in New York. We're looking forward to working with you and your kids. Whether a novice or elite athlete, we got you covered with classes, after school, camps, the occasional Saturday night, private training or even celebrating a special event. We’re Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today! Contact us today.
