There are four key reasons to promote the positive peer interactions and social competence of preschool children:
1. Social and emotional development are associated with important developmental outcomes and academic achievement.
2. Integrating academics, socialization and problem solving motivates children to engage in learning.
3. Interacting with friends develops skills such as cooperation, conflict management, self esteem and task orientation.
4. Having a friend at an early age promotes the development of key social skills such as demonstrating empathy and moral sensitivity for others in later school years.
All young children require targeted assistance from adults to learn how to express their emotions appropriately, play cooperatively and use social problem solving strategies. Children are naturally reinforced by their friends to develop, and use, age appropriate social skills within daily activities. Planning consistent activities and routines for peer interaction in group situations throughout the day e.g., snack, arrival time, and clean up, provides numerous opportunities for practicing emerging skills.
Early childhood implementation teams can support learning through promoting the social and emotional development of young children by :
- Creating a supportive social environment for forming friendships;
- Facilitating opportunities for interactions with peers; and
- Providing children with prompts to engage in social interactions.
Buysse et al, 2008; Dunn, Cutting & Fisher, 2002; Newcombe and Bagwell, 1996; Odom, McConnel & Chandler, 1994; Porath, 2003
