Children are naturally social and benefit significantly from a variety of experiences to practice their developing skills. From an infant waving to other shoppers at the grocery store to preschoolers playing tag on the playground, every interaction contributes to a child's ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships in the future. 

The Benefits of Socialization

Children learn through play and interaction with others. In fact, one of the first ways an infant learns to "play" is by mimicking the adults in their life. They may hold a toy up to their ear and pretend it's a phone or try to slip their feet into a parent's shoes. Children are like sponges, soaking up bits and pieces of information and applying it to their understanding of the world around them. Whether it's with relatives, neighbors, or same-age peers, socializing with others benefits many aspects of a child's development. 

Physical Benefits

Aside from the obvious health benefits of fresh air and physical activity, unstructured outdoor play with peers can help children develop new skills. Children learn by observing others and are more likely to take risks during play with encouragement from their friends. For example, a child who may have otherwise been scared to climb a tree may try it once they see others climbing safely. Sometimes peer pressure can be beneficial when it encourages children to step outside their comfort zone and learn new skills. 

Language Benefits

Children learn how to speak at home but learn the nuances and subtleties of language from interacting with their peers, teachers, and childcare providers. In a group setting, children benefit from read-alouds, adult facilitated conversation during mealtime and circle times, and negotiating with their friends during play. From socializing with others, children learn the vocabulary and skills necessary to develop and maintain future friendships.

Confidence and Self-Esteem Benefits

When navigating peer relationships and socializing with others, children develop confidence in their abilities. A lot of socialization for children is trial and error. When they learn to share, take turns, and play with others, each successful interaction serves as positive reinforcement and makes it more likely they'll try that approach in the future. For example, they share a toy with a friend, it makes their friend happy, which makes them feel good about themselves and increases the likelihood of sharing in the future. They develop a sense of self in relation to others, which is the foundation for self-esteem. 

It takes a village

When it comes to developing social skills, the more opportunities for children to practice, the better, from family gatherings to trips to the farmers market, every social interaction benefits their development.

The Role of Family in Socialization

A child first learns how to socialize within the family unit. Conversations around mealtimes, bedtime, and other daily routines help children develop a foundation for future interactions outside the home. The dynamics within the family also serve as an example for navigating peer interactions. If family members speak kindly to one another and treat each other with respect, a child will be more likely to treat others with kindness and respect. Within their family, children also learn that how you talk or behave with certain people may look different, depending on their age or relationship to you. For example, children learn that they don't socialize with their Grandma the same way they play with their cousins. The ability to alternate between informal and more formal language is referred to as code-switching, and is an important skill for children to learn in order to socialize and communicate effectively in the future.   

Child Care

Children learn a great deal about socialization in daycare and preschool settings. They start to learn the complexities of being a part of a group and work on developing empathy and other essential social skills. With the help of an experienced caregiver, children learn how to be a friend and how to assert themselves as individuals. 

Playdates

As much as children benefit from being in group settings, they also benefit from opportunities to socialize with one or two friends at a time. Playdates with classmates or similar age children from the neighborhood allow children to continue practicing how to code-switch. Children who live in their community may play differently or have different experiences from the children they attend daycare with, requiring them to adjust their communication style and the skills they use during play. 

For children, socialization is critical and play is everything. No matter how frivolous it seems, every interaction provides an opportunity for growth and helps shape a child's future.