8 Reasons Why Social Interaction is Important for Kids
Now more than ever, we live in a fast-paced world that’s driven by technology and screens. It’s not just adults that are struggling with this, either. Our kids, who are growing up surrounded by tech, are growing up in this world, too. And it is taking a toll on their mental and physical health. It’s critical, both now and for the future, that your children learn social skills instead of sitting in front of a screen. Social interaction is important for kids, and those connections aren’t just about making friends. Social skills play a vital role in a child’s development, so much so that you need to make sure you’re giving your kids opportunities to interact with others. Here are eight reasons why it’s so crucial.
It Enhances Communication Skills
One of the top benefits of social interaction in children is that it quickly improves a child’s communication skills. Children learn to express their thoughts, listen actively, and understand non-verbal cues when they interact regularly with peers. Research shows that children, particularly those who are lagging in their abilities, can learn significantly just by interacting with kids with stronger language skills. These skills are essential for communicating both now and in the future, and they set the stage for future academic and professional success.
It Builds Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is a skill that even adults can struggle to find. However, for children, early interaction with others can help them develop theirs. The more children engage with others around them, the more they learn to recognize and manage their own emotions. They’ll begin understanding what others are feeling and develop empathy. In fact, research shows emotional intelligence is an important component that helps both kids and adults form healthy relationships and manage emotions in complex social situations.
It Develops Problem-Solving Abilities
Another great reason social interaction is important for kids is that these settings tend to present challenges and conflicts that children must learn to navigate on their own. They may be learning to negotiate rules to a game on the playground. Perhaps they’re discovering how to resolve disagreements over who gets to play with a toy. No matter the problem, these experiences start to teach children how to solve those problems without the help of a parent or teacher. It teaches them to think creatively, to learn how to compromise, and to collaborate with others to find solutions. It’s a valuable skill that will last a lifetime.
It Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence
When children have positive social interactions, it helps boost their self-esteem and gives them a sense of confidence. When children successfully interact with their peers as well as adults, it gives them a sense of accomplishment and belonging, and it shows them they are capable. As kids start to feel ownership over their relationships and experiences, it boosts their confidence and encourages them to engage in even more new social situations. And this further enhances their social skills and helps them grow into happy, healthy adults.
It Teaches Manners and Values
Kids often learn the words “please” and “thank you” easily when they must repeat it back to parents and caregivers. It’s the more complex concepts, such as when it’s appropriate to engage in a conversation or teaching respect to a friend, that can be trickier. Fortunately, children learn things like manners and cultural values through social interaction. A simple way to teach these ideas is by allowing them to observe and mimic the behavior of others. Seeing manners in action helps them understand what is acceptable and expected in various social contexts. And this understanding is crucial for integrating into society and forming respectful relationships for the long-term.
It Creates a Sense of Belonging
Friendships are important for kids of every age, and being part of a social group gives them a sense of belonging and security. Whether it’s a sports team, a club, or a group of friends, these connections provide emotional support and a network of relationships that can help children feel valued and understood. As you look for the types of social interaction that is important for kids, consider finding the teams, clubs, or play groups that can help your child create strong bonds with the other kids in the group. Often, those groups last well into adulthood.
It Supports Mental Health
Regular social interaction is incredibly beneficial for the mental health of people of all ages. In kids, it reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can be detrimental to a child’s well-being. In fact, research shows that regular social interaction can reduce stress, prevent serious illnesses, and are healthier overall. Learning the skill of engaging with peers from a young age sets a precedent on what socialization will do for a lifetime. It provides an outlet for stress, encourages physical activity, and promotes a positive outlook on life for years to come.
It Cultivates Teamwork
Social interaction is important for kids as it teaches the essential skill of teamwork, which requires them to work together toward a common goal. That skill that will have a large impact on a child’s future. Spending time interacting with others fosters that concept of teamwork and cooperation, and it teaches the importance of communicating and problem-solving skills. These skills are essential not only in childhood but also in adult life, especially in professional environments down the road.
Get Support from PALS
As you weigh the importance of your child’s social skills and how they will enhance your child’s abilities into adulthood, rest assured that you can get help reinforcing them with the right help. PALS Praise & Leadership Schools is proud to say we’ve developed an expansive curriculum that supports a child’s social and emotional learning. We know first-hand that social interaction is important for kids, so we give our students every opportunity to engage with friends and learn the skills that will propel them into adulthood. Through consistent routines and our outstanding curriculum, we teach each child to think, reason, be responsible, achieve, excel, and communicate. We provide the support you need to allow your child to flourish.
We’d love to share more about PALS and how we can help your child grow. We offer two campuses in Peoria IL. Our North Peoria campus is located at 2327 W Willow Knolls Rd in Peoria IL. That location can be reached at 309-691-4326. You can also contact us at our Downtown Peoria campus, 700 NE Greenleaf in Peoria IL, at 309-674-2938. You’re invited to schedule a tour and to see first-hand how PALS Praise & Leadership Schools will help your child grow.
