The moral and social development of a preschool child progresses very dynamically, mainly through the influence of adults, contacts with other children, but also through role-playing.
After the age of 3, a child slowly gets rid of its innate egocentrism and its brain begins to gain the ability to sympathize with others, care and control its own manifestations of anger, jealousy, etc. During this period, it is extremely important to have contact with other people and to draw on various, good role models of newly acquired skills. The child is no longer just a member of family, becomes part of a new community, which is the kindergarten group. This gives him the opportunity to take on new roles, such as: friend, classmate, preschooler.
,,Also learns to navigate the social world, reconciling his own desires with the readiness to respect social rules and norms, the good of other people and the readiness to cooperate and collaborate.”
This is not an easy period for the child, because at a similar moment develops the so-called intrusive style, i.e. something that encourages them to act, compete, fight for their right, priority, etc. It is worth knowing about these turbulent developmental changes and being understanding towards the child at this time.
A child learns through play and the same is true here. In a new social group, begins to form first bonds with a strange adult (teacher) and, of course, other children. Initially, first acquaintances may be unstable, however over time, children spontaneously establish stronger bonds with each other. When playing together, they take on various other roles, which is another step towards proper social development. Girls most often take on female roles – a mother taking care of a child, a teacher, or playing with houses and dolls.
Boys can be firefighters, policemen, or heroes of their favorite fairy tales. Interestingly, children, as keen observers, often recreate the division of household chores in their family, e.g.: girls set the table and prepare a meal, and boys repair the equipment. This is a phenomenon worth observing, a reflection of our behavior and the roles assigned to our gender for centuries.
The greatest challenge for a preschool child in the context of social development is the coexistence and reconciliation of two strong inclinations: to show initiative, set goals and achieve them “in their own way” with the readiness to respect the will of and the needs of other people and social rules.
Sources:
Becelewska D., Repetytorium z rozwoju człowieka, Jelenia Góra 2006.
Matejczuk J., Rozwój dziecka w wieku przedszkolnym, [w]: Niezbędnik Dobrego Nauczyciela, pod red. Brzezińska A. I., Warszawa 2014.
Author of the text: Marcelina Paszyńska
Photos: Ula Małek, ig: @ulamalek; Joanna Bieniek, ig: @i.kropka, Shiori Yamada, ig: @_ririsyu._
