Developing Social Skills before Class One
Social and Emotional Development is a key learning domain in Early Childhood Education, because every child needs vital social skills to be successful in life. These skills can only be nurtured from early childhood and cannot be taught in later years, that is to say, before a child begins class one at the age of 5 – 7, these skills should have taken root; these can not be developed if a child is above the age of 8, or is a pre-teen.
A Practical Guide to Develop Emotional and Social Skills in Early Childhood
From the day a child is born till the age of 6, a child goes extraordinary period of growth and development. Along this road to growth, a child comes across multiple experiences.
They not only learn to talk (Language development) walk (physical development) and think (cognitive development) but also learn about their feelings and emotions. They learn how others act with them and how they should behave.
Thus, it is essential that we support and provide our children, before Class One, with positive learning experiences, so they can grow up to be socially connected individuals.
What is Emotional Development and Social Development?
- Emotional development is the ability to identify, express and control feelings.
- Social development is the way children interact with others, how they make friendships,
These two domains are interconnected. A child, who can identify and manage his feelings, quickly joins in play with others, is ready to share toys and waits for own turn, making as a result new friends. Thus, a child who has good social skills will know how a friend feels and how to react in any situation.
Hence in Preschool, at the age of 2 – 5, before the start of class one, parents and teachers need to focus on developing social and emotional skills. These are much more important than academics for a successful life.
Key Social Skills to develop before Class 1 (age 6 / 7)
- Basic Communication Skills – Listening and Speaking
- Sharing and Turn Taking
- Greeting and welcoming others
- Being Polite and Respectful
- Following Simple Instructions / Directions
- Cooperating – working with others
- Developing Independence
- Clean – up
- Emotional Awareness
a. Expressing feelings appropriately
b. Self – Control
c. Showing empathy and kindness
d. Respecting personal space
e. Problem – Solving Skills
f. Managing conflicts peacefully
Importance of developing Social Skills in Early Years
- It lays the foundation of learning for life.
According to research, children who develop social skills early in life are more successful in school, higher education and life.
- Influence on Self-confidence
These children are more confident and feel they can achieve anything and they value themselves – ‘I can do it’, ‘I matter’ and ‘I belong’. Self – confidence is closely linked to both emotional and social development.
- Enhances Academic and social Achievements
Children with grounded social skills are better able to encounter the challenges of academic life and adult life.
Developing Social Skills
a. Basic Communication Skills – Listening and Speaking
- Before the children start Class One, they should be able to express their needs in simple words – (“I’m thirsty”, “Can I play?”)
- Children should be enabled to listen carefully and pay attention to others.
- They should be taught not to interrupt others
- Importance:
- Children learn how to behave with their friends and teachers.
- They understand instructions better
- They are able to get what they need.
b. Sharing and taking turns
- Children learn to share toys and stationery materials.
- It helps them to make friends and keeps them safe from unnecessary altercations.
- They avoid rude behaviour like pushing and snatching
- Importance:
- Children are able to work and learn in a friendly environment
- They learn to wait for their turn during games and other activities
- It develops respect and confidence and reduces stress and conflicts
c. Greeting and welcoming others
Meeting and greeting others and welcoming tpolitely is the first step to building a positive relationship. So, we teach children as soon as possible to greet others politely with a handshake and saying, ‘Assalamu Alaikum’, and responding with ‘Waöaikum Assalam’, with a smile.
- Importance
- The moment a person is welcomed with a Salaam and a handshake, a bond is formed. Responding with ‘Walaikum Assalam’ bolsters the bond.
- It makes introductions smooth
d. Being Polite and Respectful
Use of polite language and courtesy words like ‘please’, ‘excuse me’. ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’, ‘welcome’
- Importance
- Develops respect for each other.
- Everyone, especially teachers respect a well – mannered and a polite child.
d. Following Simple Instructions / Directions
Following instructions and rules are an integral part of school – life, therefore, it is necessary to develop the ability to follow instructions before starting Class One. Children should be enabled to:
- Understand and follow first simple one – step directions. (Look at me, sit down etc.)
- As they progress, they learn to follow 2 – 3 step directions (Go to the cupboard and bring your book or pack your bag and keep it in the cabinet.)
- They should be able to listen carefully and follow the instructions
- Instructions should be according to their age.
- Importance
- Learning to follow instructions is essential for participation in classroom activities.
- Develops classroom discipline
e. Cooperating – working with others
- Children should be able to play and work in a group
- They should follow the rules of the game
- Respect other members of the group
- Importance:
- It develops team – work and ability to carry on friendships
- It helps to completes class tasks with the help of peers.
f. Emotional Awareness:
A child whose ability to identify and express his feelings is more successful in the school. That child knows:
- What makes one ‘happy’, ‘sad’ or ‘angry’
- How to express feelings in proper words
- Also understands and respects feelings of peers
- Importance
- Teaches control of feelings and emotions
- Teaches use of language or actions which do not hurt others
- Learns to manage sudden temper surge or tantrum
- Develops positive relationships and respects others
- Manage to handle conflicts and solve problems
Role of the Parents:
Parents can help in developing these basic skills at home by being the role – model and focusing on the following social skills before starting Class One.
- Role – Play every day situations
- Do not loose temper or use inappropriate language in front of children.
- Take children out to play with other children.
- Frequently visit relatives and friends and invite friends oover.
- Read stories which encourage development of social skills
- Praise positive social behaviour
- Play games that require turn – taking
- Do art and crafts projects together like making a bird-feeder, or a doll house from recyclable material.
- Play with building blocks to create a model car , plane or a house
- Solve puzzles and riddles to improve listening skills
- Go on a treasure hunt together. It teaches how to follow instructions.
Conclusion:
Before the children start class one, they need to be equipped with basic social skills but they may not be the epitome of best behaviour. However, they should be able to communicate, be polite, follow basic instructions and mange their emotions.
