Developing Social Skills: Ages 4-5

by Dr. Amanda Gummer View Bio

Dr. Amanda Gummer

Amanda has over 20 years experience working with children and families. Widely considered as THE go to expert on play, toys and child development, Amanda combines her theoretical knowledge with a refreshingly pragmatic approach to family life, that resonates both with parents and professionals.

Her book ‘Play’ was published in May 2105 and has already been translated into two different languages.

Amanda is regularly in the media, and continues to take an active role in research. She is often involved in government policy around children’s issues, rand is a member of two All Party Parliamentary Groups.

Amanda ran the research consultancy FUNdamentals for 10 years before combining that with the Good Toy Guide, and the Good App Guide to create Fundamentally Children, the UK’s leading source of expert, independent advice on child development and play, supporting children’s industries with research, insight and endorsement.

As children enter their fourth year, they start to interact purposefully with other kids. Communication is now developed, and skills such as cooperation and turn-taking become an increasingly important part of their play with others.

Helping children develop social skills is one of the most valuable things that a parent can do to prepare a child for school. Those who enter school already able to share and take turns while interacting with other children will not only acclimate better, they will be able to learn from their peers too.

“Helping children develop social skills is one of the most valuable things that a parent can do to prepare a child for school.”

By teaching your child how to share and take turns before they enter school, they will have plenty of time to develop these key social skills. Check out some of these play ideas to help shape your child’s social development!

• Arts and crafts are a major activity done in early childhood classrooms. Not only does it help your child unleash their creativity, but it helps them learn to share art supplies and work with others. Try incorporating some crafty fun at least twice a week.
• The shopping game is a great memory game to play with your child and engage in conversation. The first player will say “I went to the store and I bought a [whatever item they choose],” and then the next player will repeat that sentence and add another item to it. This pattern is repeated until a player forgets an item.
• Practice vocabulary and social skills with the word game! In this example, the first person to start says any word they can think of, and then the other players must say another word related to the previous word. For example, if the first word is “chocolate,” the next person could say “milk.” The following player could say “drink” and so on.
• Enhance risk assessment and confidence with some outdoor time! Walking along a low garden wall, fallen trees or even just a line drawn in the park will help your child learn important skills.

Practicing these important social skills will help your child understand how to play cooperatively with other children. It will also boost their self-esteem as they realize they can cope without your support. Good luck and happy playing!

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