Whether it’s on the playground or in a learning center, children learn about social behaviors as they’re more frequently exposed to other kids. Peer-to-peer relationships are a unique opportunity to expose your adolescent to complex skills and emotions that will grow with them the older they get. These are some of the advantages of cultivating childhood bonds early and how you can get them on the right track.

Benefits of Peer Relationships on Child Development

Fosters Learning Critical Social Skills in Different Environments

Interacting with other peers helps your child establish relationship skills beyond the familial unit. Inclusive environments like day cares, learning centers, classrooms, and after-school programs promote positive communication and cooperation with people from different backgrounds and mentalities.

In these environments, a child’s curiosity will eventually push them to interact with other kids for longer stretches of time. One-on-one and group play will allow them to continue practicing sharing and listening while helping them recognize social cues from their peers.

Nurtures Better Mental Health

Developing peer relationships at a young age also helps your child work on emotional regulation. Studies show that early friendships help your child build self-esteem and self-confidence as they adapt to the world around them.

The earlier they grasp these emotions, the better they will be at handling conflicts and aggressions in a healthy manner by using empathy and self-expression. Being able to adequately identify emotions and express themselves will lead to stronger bonds with teachers and adults, as well.

How to Help Your Child Develop Early Bonds

Encourage your child to create emotional connections outside of the home by teaching them how to hold conversations. Teach your child how to break the ice with other children by practicing having conversations. Include questions they can ask others to learn more about them, such as, “What is your favorite animal?” or “What games do you like to play?”

Discuss the importance of communication skills in a way they can understand and emphasize the importance of listening to others as they speak. Arranging play dates with other families outside of school is a helpful way to ignite new friendships.

Strong, loving bonds begin during childhood, and the educators at Palm Academy are prepared to lead the way for your little one. This learning center has been helping families across California’s Bay Area since 2006. They cultivate your child’s early education and personal development by offering STEAM learning, enrichment services, and enhanced after-school programming and summer camps. View a list of their class offerings online, or call (510) 979-9794 to schedule a facility tour.