Most children begin forming friendships and social connections when they attend preschool in Silver Spring. Friendship plays a vital role in early childhood, as it helps children understand the ‘give and take’ of relationships. When children share their experiences and feelings and interact, they find out how to fulfill their social needs and those of others.
While healthy friendships are crucial in early childhood, they don’t always come easily to every child. Friendship is essential for preschoolers, as it helps them develop social skills, learn empathy, and foster a sense of belonging. These skills can assist children in exploring the world beyond their families and foster lasting connections.
Making friends helps children develop essential life skills that enhance their confidence, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence. Teaching kids about friendship helps them understand what it truly means to be a good friend.
It’s difficult to find the right balance between helping our children and letting them solve their own problems. Even if they are attending a Silver Spring preschool, making friends can sometimes feel uncertain.
Building friendships involves emotional skills, social competence, and self-regulation. Every child grows these skills at their own pace. Some kids may struggle to make friends. Encourage them to express their feelings and thoughts clearly. Support them in building the skills they need to overcome challenges.
If children want to make friends, they first need to learn how. The best way to make friends is for kids to play with other kids. When they play with others they learn about sharing, taking turns, solving problems, and listening to others. Practicing and perfecting these skills now makes it easier for children to form other relationships as they get older.
When playing ‘house,’ not everyone can be the mom. If multiple children want the same role, disagreements may arise. When facing differences of opinions, children must work together to sort things out.
Caregivers support young children in developing social and emotional skills – building positive relationships, working through conflicts, and flourishing in group settings. When interacting with peers, children often encounter challenges that require guidance and support. Caregivers are there to offer support and guidance in building healthy friendships.
A supportive atmosphere where kindness, empathy, and respect thrive is necessary for children to build strong friendships. Creating a culture of inclusion shapes how children connect and equip them with the skills to foster positive relationships.
Start every day with a “morning meeting” where kids can say hello to one another by name, share a little about their lives, or talk about how they’re feeling. These moments foster unity, and show children that their voices matter. Showing kids how important kindness is as easy as having them share stories of when they did something nice for somebody else. Kids can also share about when people did something nice for them.
Children attending preschool in Silver Spring learn how to handle different social situations from their caregivers. By being kind and patient, caregivers show kids how to treat others and handle challenging situations.
Group activities are the perfect chance for caregivers to show children how powerful the right words are when it comes to solving problems. When children disagree about toys, help them take turns listening to each other, so they can learn how to work together to find a solution. Children learn how to resolve conflicts by watching and mimicking adults around them.
Children can’t build social skills without interacting with other children and adults. Caregivers can set up real-life situations for children to practice working together to find solutions. Group activities play a huge part in helping kids make friends. When children feel like they are part of the group, they are less likely to lash out at others. Whether building the tallest block tower or designing a race track, group activities teach kids the value of teamwork.
Classrooms are vibrant spaces with children from various backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. By celebrating diversity and encouraging appreciation for differences, caregivers foster an atmosphere of acceptance and respect. Children who learn to view differences as something to celebrate instead of fear are more likely to build positive, inclusive friendships.
Kids can face exclusion, teasing, or even more serious types of bullying from a young age. Caregivers must tackle these behaviors promptly and consistently to foster a safe and welcoming classroom environment. Teaching children how to recognize and respond to bullying—whether as a victim, bystander, or participant—empowers them to contribute to a positive social environment.
Friendships often bring about some conflicts. Instead of solving the problems for children, caregivers can help them develop the skills to resolve issues on their own. Teaching children problem-solving strategies helps them navigate conflicts while fostering self-confidence and social resilience.
Children support each other’s growth and development by discovering their unique roles within the preschool community and forming meaningful friendships. Building and maintaining friendships is a valuable life skill that will benefit your child during their school years and in the future. If your little one is having a tough time making friends in preschool, chatting with their preschool teacher might be helpful.
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.
