LATEST STORIES
Social Interactions
At BestStart Lytton in the Pikopiko room we have been learning about social interactions. Since we have all return from our bubbles this is a great time to get back into our room and reconnecting with all our peers again. Social interactions are how we act and react to those around us, the form of any relationship between two or more people.
Social interaction is important for the health and development of our pēpē. Positive social interactions have a wide range of both physical and mental benefits, including increased cognitive ability, good mental health, communication skills, independence, and physical health.
Early social interaction is particularly beneficial for child development which allows them to develop strong language skills, creativity, empathy communication and confidence. In the Pikopiko room we have been learning social interactions through play, the skills our pēpē have been learning is problem solving, turn taking, building imagination, playing alongside others, manakitanga, creativity, relationships, and communication.
Socializing with other tamariki their own age helps them to learn the vital skills they will need in later life. Through language and communication (verbal or non verbal) with their peers they will learn how to communicate their feelings, interact with others and develop their skills of thinking and understanding. Being around lots of other tamariki naturally encourages more communication.
Our pēpē have been learning about turn taking, it is a great way for them to learn about waiting for their turn and allowing others to have a turn. Another skill they have been learning is relationships, at this age they learn to develop positive relationships and learn about reciprocal relationships with others.
Our pēpē have also been learning about manakitanga and whanaungatanga by caring for each other in their play and making those relationships stronger. It is so awesome to have everyone back in our classroom and interacting with each other again.
He taonga te mokopuna, kia whāngaia, kia tipu, kia rea. A child is a treasure, to be nurtured, to grow, to flourish.