Preschoolers who develop solid social skills tend to handle social situations better, make friends more easily, and communicate well. Social skills help preschoolers manage emotions and reduce behavioral issues.
Parents and caregivers at a Rockville day care do a lot to support preschoolers’ social growth. Caregivers help preschoolers develop their social skills by giving them chances to join in social activities. Since preschoolers are still developing, they need guidance and feedback from adults.
Social skills are the foundation of friendships, helping children collaborate and understand social norms. This begins with sharing, taking turns to express feelings, and being considerate of others. They are the foundation for building positive relationships and healthy interactions throughout life.
Playing together helps preschoolers build social skills, foster empathy, and improve their communication with others. In preschool, kids learn how to cooperate, share, recognize emotions, and listen to others—along with so much more.
Sharing is a wonderful way for preschoolers to develop empathy, self-regulation, and conflict-resolution skills. Kids start to learn how to share around the ages of 3 to 4, and there are many fun ways to encourage this important skill in little ones. When you play together, you can show how to take turns, like flipping the pages of a book or putting toys back on a shelf.
A timer can be a fun way to help kids learn when it’s their turn, and you can even involve them in brainstorming ideas for sharing! If two kids are having a little tussle over a toy, it’s great to recognize what’s happening and invite them to share their thoughts. There’s only one car for both of you. How can we solve this? This will encourage children to collaborate and find solutions together.
When preschoolers learn to cooperate, they gain the skills to communicate and team up to achieve shared goals. Little ones can discover the joy of cooperation through fun activities that involve teamwork and taking turns.
Learning to listen is a wonderful way for young kids to build strong communication skills. Preschoolers feel truly understood when we model active listening—paying attention to their feelings and reflecting them back. This helps them explore their own emotions and discover the best ways to express them. When we respond with kindness and recognize how children feel when upset, it can help them understand their feelings better and find ways to solve the problem.
Understanding emotions is an important part of building empathy for those around us. Little ones who learn to recognize feelings in others can manage their own emotions with greater ease. While enjoying books, note the characters’ feelings and highlight their facial expressions and body language. Discuss how characters might feel in different situations to help children understand emotions.
Patience is definitely a great quality to have, but let’s be real—it’s not the easiest thing to master! It’s completely natural for little ones to feel a bit impatient. But you know, patience is a valuable social skill for kids, and it will benefit them throughout their lives.
Being patient is necessary for a lot of things, like maintaining relationships and reaching big goals. Helping your child realize that good things often take time is a great way to nurture their patience. It can be tough for energetic, passionate kids who are all about living in the moment to learn patience and wait for things they want! Keep at it with patience, and you’ll see results in time.
Focusing on positivity can really help your child handle many of the other social skills we’ve talked about—patience, setting boundaries, listening, and sharing. If your child has a positive attitude, they’ll likely find it easier to make friends, do well in school, and reach their goals. Staying positive about your child’s social skills—even when they make mistakes—will help reassure them that they are doing well.
You don’t have to be positive all the time. A good dose of constructive criticism can help your child learn to share their feelings. Kids need to understand that feeling sad, angry, or mad is totally normal, and they should learn how to deal with those feelings. When we recognize and work through tough emotions together, it becomes simpler to transform them into valuable lessons for what’s ahead.
Empathy is all about understanding and sharing how someone else feels. Your child will discover how to enjoy the similarities and differences between their lives and those of the people they encounter. They will also learn to understand and connect with these individuals, regardless of their differences.
For little ones, this can mean simple gestures. For instance, if a friend or sibling gets upset because your child is using a particular toy, your child might stop and say, “I see you want to play, too.” Cheer up! Let’s take turns! However, this feeling of understanding may take some time to develop. Empathy grows gradually and in many different situations. The simplest way to encourage your child’s growth in empathy is by demonstrating it yourself. When you show kindness to your child regularly, they will learn to share that kindness in return.
Every child has different emotional and physical boundaries. This can be tricky to grasp, especially for little ones who get most of their social interactions at home rather than a Rockville daycare. If your child is extroverted, they might think that everyone is happy with hugs, questions, or plenty of chit-chat. Sometimes, they could be onto something! In some cases, they unintentionally cross boundaries while trying to be nice.
Helping your child learn to ask for permission and recognize boundaries is a wonderful way to foster respect between them and others. It’s important to help them set their own boundaries. It’s important to let your child know that they can say no to hugs, kisses, or any other displays of affection – from anyone – if they feel uncomfortable.
Some kids seem to pick up on interpersonal skills easily, while others might need extra support to get there. Teaching your child essential social skills early on—whether social interactions come easily or present challenges—helps them build connections, foster friendships, and navigate social situations with confidence.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.
