How to Encourage Children’s Social Development
Most children develop healthy social interaction skills quite naturally. They easily move from depending upon adults to begin and sustain interactions to creating and sustaining their own interactions with others. In doing so, children learn to see things from another point of view, to make compromises and resolve conflicts, and to share, collaborate and negotiate for themselves.
Some children need a great deal of support learning to develop and sustain social interactions and all children need support at some times. Teachers can help encourage healthy social interaction in the following ways:
The Teacher’s Role
Step 1
It’s important to plan and implement group games and activities that entice children into sharing, turn taking and other social interactions.
Step 2
Create learning centers within the classroom that accommodate small group play. Small group play can be less intimidating to children who are reluctant in social situations.
Step 3
Offer activities that children can do in pairs. Assign ‘buddies’ so that children who have trouble finding a partner get a chance to practice games and activities in pairs.
Step 4
Draw attention to mutual interests among the children. Comment on the things children have in common and make suggestions that draw them into social play. For example, “Bill, I notice you like to play dominoes. Sue is great at dominoes. Perhaps you two can start a tournament!”
Step 5
Set up equipment to encourage social play. For example, place two paintbrushes at an easel or three puzzles at the puzzle table.
Step 6
Watch for children who are having trouble finding play partners. Invite these children to join an activity. For example, “Sam, we are starting a game of lotto. Would you like to join?”
Step 7
Arrange classroom equipment to encourage face-to-face interactions. For example, set chairs across the table from one another or pull tables away from walls so children can surround the table rather than using only one side.
Step 8
Most important, show your enthusiasm for children’s social interactions. Positive attention will increase the likelihood that social interactions continue.
KinderCare
Healthy Eating Tip – Healthy Snacking
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean no snacking or that we have to resort to the carrots and celery snacks only. The National Cancer Institute does recommend that we eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. We can creatively fit those in while we are enjoying snacking. There are snack foods being made with soy and whole grains Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils are being replaced with healthier oils such as Canola or Olive Oil. Enjoy snacking while you keep your healthy eating style…
• Fruit – Fresh fruit is great especially when you are in the mood for something sweet. Try apple slices with peanut butter, orange slices, or a medley of fresh berries combined with banana slices topped with fat free whip cream. Create your own fruit drinks using fat free milk and low fat yogurt combined with frozen fruit.
• Vegetables – Vegetables seem to be difficult for many people especially when it comes to snacking. Buy low fat salad dressing and use it as a dip for fresh vegetables. Get creative with some of your favorite dip recipes and make them low fat or fat free. Low fat bean dips and salsa are great for dipping vegetables. Steamed vegetables with melted mozzarella cheese on top makes a delicious snack.
• Healthier Chips – Snyder’s of Hanover has come out with a line of healthy snack foods called Eat Smart. The Soy Crisps come in two varieties of seasoned soy chips having 7 grams of soy protein and 5 grams of fiber. The Soy Crisps are made with Canola Oil and Natural Olive Oil. A great alternative to potato chips.
Café Fries are another great snack by Eat Smart. Also available in two flavors these potato fries made with 100% pure Canola Oil which is naturally low in saturated fat. Other Eat Smart products include veggie crisps, cheddairs and natural snack dips.