Page 38 - Intra Muros May 2024

TODAY’S CHILD

ME, MYSELF AND I - UNDERSTANDING

THE PRESCHOOL STAGE

By Nicoleen Davies, Life Talk Forum

reschoolers – are children between the What is social development?
ages of three and six. At this developmental Social development is about creating, building and sustaining meaningful relationships with
Pphase, they are ready and able to learn to others. It is a gradual, integrative process in which children acquire the capacity to express,
socialise. experience, understand and manage emotions while building relationships. Our children gradually
learn to express and manage their own emotions while learning to respond appropriately to those
This is also the time for questions – who, what, of others.
why, when. Understanding the world around
them becomes increasingly important as they What to expect at this age?
become more independent, converse more, and From an behavioural perspective, preschooler’s development includes the following:
speak in longer sentences. This growth phase • Understands when someone is hurt and may want to comfort them.
has a strong social and emotional development • May show a stronger preference for same-sex playmates.
component built in, mainly during play and • May enforce gender-role norms with peers.
exposure to others. This is when the preschooler • Attains gender stability (sure she/he is a girl/boy).
learns to take turns and share and that there are • May have bouts of aggression with peers.
rules to follow. All of this shows them that there • Likes to give and receive affection from parents.
are other people in their world that they need to • May praise themselves and be boastful.
get along with.
From an emotional perspective:
Preschoolers are egocentric • Developing independence and social skills which they use for learning and getting on with
It is the age of me, myself, and I. others at preschool and, later, school.
It is typical for preschoolers to be egocentric. • Enjoys playing with other children.
Young children see everything happening around • May have a particular friend.
them as it relates to them. They are unable to • Begins to share more and cooperate with peers.
differentiate between some aspects of themselves • Manipulates objects jointly with one or two other peers.
and others. Their perspective is the only one that
matters. They are not being selfish; they simply
don’t yet understand a different point of view.

They are also straight shooters and say it as it is,
for example “I don’t like you anymore and don’t
want to be your friend.” It can be hard for them
to play co-operatively, to share and help, and
often, their behaviour may be seen as socially
damaging. This doesn’t mean preschoolers are
intentionally nasty, bullying, or doing anything
negative – they still have to learn that other
people have feelings and can be hurt by words
and actions. They will still learn to apply filters,
empathy, kindness and so on – all those social
skills that help us get along.

36 | INTRAMUROS MAY 2024