Socialization in ECE

We all want our children to have friends, to understand how to interact with others, and ultimately be successful members of society. A large part of our children achieving these goals is giving them the opportunity to socialize with children and adults. According to Ron Spreeuwenberg on HiMama.com, “Language, teamwork, sharing and respect are some of the key socialization benefits of early childhood education.” As children interact with their peers, they learn the importance of these skills, and how to use them.

Language exponentially increases as children interact and communicate with their peers, especially under a teacher’s guiding influence. They learn how to ask to borrow a toy, or go to the bathroom, or to say a kind word to a sad friend. It is truly by socialization that children learn how to treat and respect others, as demonstrated and taught by caring teachers. This is because, “During early school years, a teacher provides structure and discipline in a child’s day” (mom.me). While the children figure out how to learn, work, and play within this structure they are also learning how the world works. How the world around affects them, and how they affect the world. 

Recently, we experienced this with our second-grader. He is our oldest, and is usually the one who wants to make his parents and teachers happy by always doing “the right thing.” As he has made more friends and gotten close with them, though, he has had to figure out the appropriate times to interact with them. A few separate times this year, he came home with what the public school refers to as a “red day.” The reason for that color was that he kept talking with his friends while the teacher was teaching, or during independent work time. May wife and I learned two things from this. First, he was making friends! Second, he was learning that there is an appropriate time to interact with his friends. And when he interacts with them at the wrong time, it is disrespectful to his teacher and to students trying to learn. These are the types of socialization experiences that will help children ultimately be successful members of society. They are also the experiences that we provide to all children at Building Kidz Schools.

The Building Kidz’ curriculum is based on integrating the performing arts with academics. Children are given the opportunity to act out scenarios that they might encounter in real life, and watch others act them out as well. The children are also to talk, express themselves, and tell stories to one another. In the same article on HiMama.com, Ron Spreeuwenberg states, ” Spending time in a child care setting can contribute positively to a child’s understanding of the spoken word as he or she engages in storytelling, dramatic play, or simply through conversation with others.” As children gain socialization in these ways, their language and respect increase dramatically. Each child at Building Kidz receives such socialization, and will grow exponentially while enrolled in our programs.