The first years of a child’s life are an important time of learning and exploration as they discover the world around them. This formative period is also critical for social and emotional development when children begin to develop the skills necessary to form healthy and positive relationships. For this reason, the caring team at Carrier Learning Center, a top child care facility in Bristol, CT, thinks it is essential to focus on social interaction during early childhood education.

Below, their knowledgeable staff shares how concentrating on social development from a young age helps children develop the skills and abilities necessary to thrive:

• Build Interpersonal Skills: Learning how to build healthy relationships with other children is an essential part of early childhood education. For toddlers and preschoolers, attending a learning center provides an opportunity to practice core social skills, such as sharing, cooperation, and showing respect for others. By regularly spending time with other children and adults in a caring and safe environment, youngsters can develop these critical skills from a young age.
• Raise Self-Esteem: Strong social development during early childhood education is important for establishing healthy self-confidence. Having positive interactions and forming friendships with other kids often helps young children to feel more self-assured. In turn, this positive self-esteem helps children feel more comfortable and successful when engaging and learning from the world around them.
• Language Learning: Social development doesn’t just benefit a child’s emotional growth – it can also impact their ability to communicate with others. Developing strong language skills is important and requires frequent practice. Attending preschool gives young children a chance to share ideas and converse with their peers and adults, helping to strengthen their language comprehension, expand their vocabulary, and enhance their communication skills.
• Foster Creativity: Open-ended and collaborative play that takes place in a nurturing environment gives young children an opportunity to exercise their imagination. Engaging in dramatic play together gives young children an opportunity to share ideas with peers and to gain inspiration from others. Together, these elements support creative and abstract thinking in a fun, social environment.

Pave the way for your little one’s future success by enrolling them in an early childhood education program at Carrier Learning Center. Lead by a team of dedicated and experienced teachers, they are committed to helping each child grow and reach his or her fullest potential. Visit the website to learn more about their programs, or call (860) 589-3000 to register your child today.