Socialising is important for everyone, no less children of all ages. Supporting children’s socialisation has become more and more important to parents as they become aware of the effects of tech, video games and other external factors. As awareness around the issue grows, it’s important to do what you can to provide the best environments for your children to thrive in as they grow. Research shows that supporting children’s socialisation can actually help them get along at work and in different scenarios later on in life.
Experts also state that a child’s environment can help them with their socialisation and interpersonal skills. This can be school as well as things like holiday parks, camps and clubs! It doesn’t have to be a permanent situation to make a lasting difference to their development. These are some of our ideas to help you support children’s socialisation, particularly in those breaks from school:
Holiday Parks or Kids Camps In The Holidays
We might seem a little biased, but we’ve been running our holiday park in Devon for decades now, and we’ve seen first-hand the friendships that can form! Why not swap out your normal self catering holiday or plan a family break to a destination that encourages kids to get involved in so many activities – they naturally interact with new people and try new things!
At Welcome Family, we have a jam-packed entertainment schedule with things planned every day and every evening, designed specifically for kids (and adults) to get involved in. Our entertainment team are incredibly well renowned – not just for the west-end quality of their productions, but also because they are dynamic and engaging, ensuring that there is something for every child. During the times when there’s nothing planned, there are still parks to play in and pools to splash in with other children and brand-new friends.
Supporting children’s socialisation during school holidays is critical, but small things like choosing a holiday that exposes them to excitement and new things or to environments where they can play and get involved with others is endlessly beneficial for their development.
Staying With Grandparents And Relatives
Did you know that children develop different socialisation skills when they stay with elders than when they interact with other children a similar age? This can be a fantastic win-win for the parenting team who get a night off whilst they support their child’s socialisation skills, too. Time with extended family – whether that’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins a similar age – staying over night with them can build independence and confidence, as well as help to boost other communication and socialisation skills.
Getting Out For The Day
During a break from school, everyone can get in a bit of a rut. If you’re looking to enjoy a day out, why not use the opportunity by supporting children’s socialisation wherever you’re going. Simply ask your little one – however old – to do the communicating for the day (or at least give it a go, they don’t have to be successful). For example, if you’re travelling by train, ask them to ask for the tickets from the conductor. This kind of socialisation can be a novelty, which expands their skills! It might seem a little daunting for young ones, but it’s trying that counts. Encourage them and see their skills blossom. If you stick to it all day, chances are that even by the time you’re going home, you will have noticed a difference.
Host A Play Date – But Plan It Carefully!
Getting your little one’s friends round for a day of fun and games is a great – and cheap – way you can be supporting children’s socialisation when they are out of term time. If they are of an age where you can still have an input in the structure of the day, why not plan games that have an element of competition or problem solving where they have to work together or even games in which they cannot use their voices to communicate (it’s not as counteractive as it sounds). This helps children to develop socialisation skills such as negotiation communication, conflict resolution and non-verbal skills!
Supporting children’s socialisation has so many benefits, of which you could see immediately as well as them having a long-term impact. Just a few of the benefits that have been documented by researchers include, reading ability, public speaking, confidence, emotional understanding and empathy, teamwork, sharing and language development. It’s important to encourage children outside of school, so why not try some of these tips during their next break?