How do preschooler build friendships? How do we help our children create healthy friendships in preschool and pre-K? Click on the photo below to read a wonderful article about the importance of building healthy friendships in preK.
The favorite part of our day…show and share! But how are the children benefiting from the experiences?
Many families have asked me over the years how they can help their child build strong social skills to help form friendships with their peers. There are many ways that parents can help children learn the skills they need to initiate and build friendships with children during the early childhood years. Research has shown that preschool-aged children who have positive peer relationships are likely to maintain positive peer interactions in elementary school. This is an amazing article that outlines how parents can directly impact their child’s peer interactions and why it is so important to do so at such a young age. Young children’s early experiences build their foundation for everything that will follow in their lives. Click on the picture below to read a fantastic article about encouraging social skills in young children.
Toddlers begin with parallel play (Parallel play is characterized by children playing the same game next to each other but with very little interaction). As they turn 2 1/2 to 3 they begin playing with the same thing next to each other and talking, but not yet working together to create something. This is called associative play. It is so exciting to see this beginning in our class
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Friends are vital to Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten children’s healthy development. Research has found that children who lack friends can suffer from emotional and mental difficulties later in life. Friendships provide children with more than just fun playmates. Friendships help children develop emotionally and morally. In interacting with friends, children learn a lot of social skills, such as how to communicate, cooperate, and solve problems. They practice controlling their emotions and responding to the emotions of others. They develop the ability to think through and negotiate different situations that arise in their relationships. Having friends even affects children’s school performance. Children tend to have better attitudes about school and learning when they have friends to share it with.
Children learn decision making skills, problem solving, social skills and role playing. But most importantly, it helps them develop better self expression, which is crucial for their development at this age.
The PreK students had the opportunity to participate in a fundraising event to aid in the research for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. The children raised a wonderful amount of money which was matched by Creative Tots and presented at the Sunflower Revolution Ride on Sunday the 12th. Way to go kids! These types of opportunities are a great chance for you to help your child gain a perspective outside of their own little world and begin to open their eyes to others who may be in need. Great Life Lesson. Our wonderful Art Teacher’s husband, Ron “aka Mr. Ron” who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, dropped by the bike-a-thon in his racing gear to show his appreciating for the children’s efforts. He and Ms. Penny were VERY grateful for all of our financial support.
The Kid's Celebrated Their Victory
Click on the picture to learn more about supporting this cause
Creative Tots has specialized in the private education of both toddlers and preschool age children for over 15 years. We began in the heart of Madeira and now also have a new Mason location. We are specifically designed to focus on early childhood development for children ages 18 months to 5 years.
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