HEALTHY SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
As children grow and develop, they learn by imitating what they see older children and adults do. Children learn how to interact with others by watching you. If your family childcare environment treats everyone with consideration and respect, each new child entering your program will learn through that example.
As the family childcare provider, it is usually you that the children will imitate. You must set the example for acceptable social behavior.
For example: When two children in your program get into a fight over a toy, you need to demonstrate ways to solve the problem without hurting each other.
There are times when you may react to a child’s behavior with anger of your own. If a child is going to copy your behavior, they must look on you as a person they can trust. You need to be firm and clear regarding the rules, and you must enforce them fairly. How many times have you heard a child say, ‘That’s not fair!” Strive to always treat each child with the same respect.
It’s important to always keep your promises. When you forget a promise, the children learn that your word is not trustworthy. If a child feels you cannot be trusted, they may assume there are other things you say that are probably not true.
How a child feels about themself affects how he feels about others. Children are very accepting of others as they are. They easily respect another’s good qualities and overlook the not so good qualities. For healthy social development a child needs to feel respected and needs to respect himself.
As a provider, you need to verbally value children’s accomplishments. It is important not to inflate a child’s abilities but to appreciate them honestly. Children should develop confidence that they can do what they say they can do, while understanding their limitation. Acknowledge when a child makes the right decision or does something nice for another. If you have an unruly child in your program, do not always deal with that child negatively. Find something during the day to give the child some positive praise.
Children who feel secure in their childcare environment and who receive approval for their achievements will view themselves in a positive way. When children like themselves, they are more apt to want to like the other children around them.
Healthy socialization means learning how to look after themselves. It is your role as the provider to prepare children to become independent.
For example: When a child can put on their shoes, socks, zip up their pants, or button their coat, gives them a sense of independence.
Being aware of the child’s developmental age and remembering what tasks their immature muscles are able to accomplish is important to fostering independence.
For example: A child may be able to put their shoes on but unable to tie them.
Many young children need the warmth and support of physical contact with an adult. Especially when they are in a group setting, some children can be overwhelmed. When you welcome a child onto your lap or seat them beside you, you are giving that child a sense of security and protection which will encourage them to become more independent.