How can nurseries support children's social skills development?

Supporting children's social skills development is best achieved by providing opportunities for cooperative play and group activities. Cooperative play fosters essential social interactions, helping children learn how to communicate, negotiate, and work with others towards a common goal. Engaging in group activities allows children to practice skills such as sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts, which are crucial for their social development.

By participating in these group settings, children also gain exposure to diverse perspectives and learn to appreciate differences among peers, which enhances their empathy and understanding. This kind of interactive experience is vital, as social skills are predominantly developed through active engagement with others in meaningful contexts.

In contrast, approaches that limit interactions among children, emphasize individual tasks, or discourage sharing actually hinder the development of these important social skills. They prevent children from practicing communication and collaboration, which are key components of effective social interaction.