- Many parents visit preschools and share their strong academic performance expectations for their lil lil little children.
- They feel that in technology driven world their child should start academic reading, writing very much sooner. And few teachers also share the same thought.
"How many letters can Riyan recognise?"
"Can Sam identify all the numbers in the table."
"Can Ramesh write the paragraph in cursive writing book."
- 'Our fast-paced society may give you the impression that your child needs to learn more academic skills—and sooner than ever before. However, the reality is that the "soft" social skills they gain in early childhood—through the slow, simple processes of playing and interacting, engaging with their families, and paying attention to the world around them—will serve them much better and for much longer'.
- The softy softy people skills are crucial, as we will not let go of people however technological advance we might become.
- It is also true that early education creates an important foundation for academic skills, many parents and teachers would be surprised to know that social skills are actually far more predictive of outcomes into adulthood than early academics.
- You can help your child build these basic social skills by simple things like, making time for free play with other children.
- Children will learn social skills which are critical for we adults too, such as, adjust with others, negotiate, problem solve, take turns, share and listen and many more.
- Teach your children what it is to be 'fail'. Failing is not negative at all. Teaching a child to be a problem solver also means that we teach them how to fail and try again.
- When they fail, we're teaching them that mistakes help us learn and move forward.
- Another important challenge of this century is protecting our children from technology addiction. Research has shown that excessive screen use may interfere with a child's ability to recognize emotions in others. So make sure that your kids get plenty of time playing and interacting face to face with other humans, rather than only with game characters and game scores.
- Today there are lot of preschools focusing on social skills.
With preschools, What parents can contribute with?
You can give your child simple opportunities to help within your family—arranging groceries at kitchen, getting the plates ready for dinner, or helping a sibling to get dressed—and then from your side you be generous with your gratitude afterward, 'Just say Thanks'.
- How all this helps children? Children need opportunities to practice this growing skill, so that it becomes habit and defines the mannerism in children.
Happy Parenting...
Note: This is the summary and reflection of below article by Early Childhood professional Maaz Mohammed A.Q.
Your child's social skills in kindergarten are more important than their academics