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<\/a><\/p>\nThe very first thing a preschooler needs to learn are social skills.\u00a0 Children need to learn to communicate their wants and needs. They cannot become little dictators, demanding their own way. (Well, actually they CAN, if the adults in their lives unknowingly encourage that behavior!)\u00a0 By playing with others their own age, they learn that grabbing a truck out of another\u2019s hands may not be the best decision.\u00a0 They see the results of their actions. (another\u2019s tears.) Adults help to guide them to communicate effectively and develop empathy.\u00a0 \u201cLook at Johnny, how do you think he\u2019s feeling? I see two people who want the truck,\u00a0 what do you think we could do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Did you notice I didn\u2019t use the word \u201cshare?\u201d\u00a0 To preschoolers, sharing means, \u201cYou have it, I want it, give it to me NOW!)\u201d How would YOU like it if you were in the middle of a good book and your friends yells \u201cSHARE!\u201d\u00a0 Would YOU want to hand it over right away?\u201d\u00a0 You can apply that to your new TV, game, car…. at school we encourage the children to say, \u201cI\u2019m not done with it yet, I\u2019ll give it to you when I\u2019m done.\u201d<\/p>\n When playing, the children have to problem solve to come up with a solution.<\/p>\n Dramatic play promotes idea sharing, communication, and compromise.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be Batman and you be the bad guy!\u201d\u00a0 Now the \u201cbad guy\u201d can break down into tears because s\/he doesn\u2019t WANT to be the bad guy, hit Batman, or s\/he can communicate what s\/he wants.<\/p>\n What if THREE girls want to be Elsa? While they may simultaneously try to freeze each other, they\u2019ll need to figure out a compromise.<\/p>\n Children need to learn to deal with difficult peers, or ones that have different ideas. (Just like any workplace!) Yes, they may melt down, say or do hurtful things.\u00a0 That\u2019s were the adults in their lives help them to recognize what they\u2019re feeling and help them come up with different strategies.<\/p>\n The important thing here is that the adults don\u2019t actively direct play, but they step in and help the children identify the problem and encourage them to come up with solutions.<\/p>\n Communicating, problem solving, carrying on conversations. Confidence. Resiliency.<\/p>\n What about those first impressions on the interview?\u00a0 What can you do at home? Have them say \u201cplease\u201d and \u201cthank you.\u201d\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen some articles where parents think it\u2019s old fashioned and unfair to children to make them say please and thank you.\u00a0 It\u2019s not unfair, it\u2019s polite. It\u2019s kind. It shows respect for others. This is reinforced when they play. Children who are kind are more fun to play with than those who aren\u2019t!<\/p>\n When they\u2019re on a playdate, have them look the other parent IN THE EYE and say, \u201cThank you for inviting me.\u201d \u00a0 As they leave, teach them to do the same.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, I really had fun.\u201d<\/p>\n When you have company at home, teach them to stop what they\u2019re doing, and greet the guests.\u00a0 Similarly, they should come and say good-bye when they leave.<\/p>\n Remember, children are not born knowing these things. They need adults to guide them. These reminders should all be gentle and fun.<\/p>\n Why am I \u201cpreaching\u201d these things?\u00a0 As a mother of sons who are 27, 24, and 20, I\u2019ve done all of the above. I\u2019ve seen the results. (I was also an Early Childhood major in college and a teacher for over 30 years, but nothing compares to parenting and seeing the effects of your efforts!)<\/p>\n Successful interviewing skills start at home (common courtesy\/manners) and at preschool (playing in a large group.) Really, if you think about it, it\u2019s really easy to encourage alphabet\u00a0 and number play at home, but how often do you have 17 other children in your house?<\/p>\n I haven\u2019t even begun to discuss the other benefits of play such as math, pre-reading, writing, brain development, etc.<\/p>\n For now, let your children play. Choose a school that lets your child play.\u00a0 Understand that they are not JUST playing.\u00a0 They are preparing for life.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
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