Teachers at the Knox Educational Service Center’s preschool at the New Hope Early Education Center are placing an emphasis on socialization for young children. The approach aims to help 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds who may not be ready for formal learning when they first arrive.
The importance of this focus lies in preparing children with basic social skills before moving on to academic subjects. Many young students enter preschool without previous experience interacting with peers outside their family, which can make classroom routines challenging.
"For some, this is their first experience to be with others who are not their siblings," said Amy Krumm, a teacher at the center. Teacher Sarah Hill said, "It’s mostly the younger children, the 3-year-olds. They haven’t learned how to interact successfully with others in a classroom setting."
To address these needs, Krumm, Hill and fellow teacher Robi Magabe conduct weekly classes dedicated to social skills such as sharing, taking turns and following instructions. Magabe explained that she works with groups of eight students each session: "We work on following classroom routine, sharing toys and other skills. This is their first experience in preschool, so we try to make it a positive experience for them and their families." Krumm and Hill use similar methods in sessions held later in the week.
Dr. Eric Storch of Baylor University highlighted the significance of early social development: "Socialization is crucial to children’s development from an early age, shaping their skills and fostering companionship and empathy. Relationships teach young children about perspective and meaningful friendships." Storch also noted that peer support helps build self-esteem.
Some students have additional communication needs addressed through picture icons or communication tablets along with sensory activities like painting or crafts. Teachers report that most parents see value in developing these foundational skills before focusing more heavily on letters or numbers.
"The bottom line is that socialization helps children transition to regular preschool," Hill said, according to the Knox Educational Service Center.
