Talking about myself and others

Helping Children Get the Most out of  ME AND YOU

The ability to get along with others has critically important social development implications for young children, so learning to cooperate and interact well with others is one of the most important early steps for every child. Talking about myself and others is key. Parents and other caregivers play a crucial role in promoting this development. Children notice when adults are empathetic and helpful to others, when they are generous, friendly, and kind. Witnessing adult behavior teaches children how they are expected to act themselves. The strong and satisfying relationships socially competent children establish at a very young age will have a strong positive impact on the rest of their lives.

What’s on My Back? Providing ways for children to play together cooperatively will do much to instill positive social skills. This game is another one of those ways, while at the same time allowing them to improve their motor and thinking skills by visualizing images that they cannot see.
Two children can play this game together, but will also enjoy playing it with an adult.
Buddy Builders. This and similar activities are an excellent way to encourage cooperative play, and therefore establish social skills in children. Working together on a common goal while sharing different perspectives and ideas teaches them how to share, problem-solve, make decisions, and
take turns. Let the children choose their own building materials for this activity. Allow them to be as creative as they like. You might also suggest any interesting or useful objects they may not have thought of. If they are drawing, suggest that each draws a different category of object. Remember that, to learn and cooperate, children must be interested and engaged. This occurs naturally when the activities are child-directed (rather than adult-directed) with adults available to help as needed. If building a town doesn’t interest them, ask them what they think they could create together. Maybe it’s putting on a play, creating their own store, or inventing a new animal, game, or toy together.
Good Luck Handprints. Some children may need help tracing their handprint. However, let your child do as much as he or she is able. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. The more your child is able to do on his or her own, the more engaged he or she will be. Help your child with cutting out the handprint if needed. Show interest as your child decorates the handprint. You might want to participate as well by making a handprint of your own. Your child will appreciate that you are getting involved! Another fun variation is to suggest decorating footprints, too.

To download the book, please click the picture below.