Entering school, at any age, is entering society in an educational setting. Children are put into classrooms with peers their own age and taught how to cooperate and exist harmoniously, or at least we hope so.
While first graders are not brand new to the idea of school, jumping into classes after a summer of splashing in the pools can take some readjusting and reorganizing of their thought processes.
The “Norms” of First Graders and their Social Development:
At this age, between six and seven years of age, friendships are becoming more important. Children generally form these connections with children who have the same interests. Surprisingly enough boys tend to keep these friendships longer, while girls on the other hand tend to change it up and “float” from friend to friend. When forming these relationships, children in the first grade are also more aware of gender differences and tend to play with children of the same gender.
Rules and competition also play a huge role in the social development of first graders. Some children are leaders, setting rules, while other children are followers and tend to follow the rules the older children set in place. This can cause problems when ideas and feelings clash. Competition to win also spurs children to act and react in certain ways with peers. These factors can create conflict among the student’s involved but to help them grow socially it is in their best interest to let them try to discuss the problem together. This teaches them compromise and cooperation. Only when matters get out of hand and bullying or harm to a child comes into play should a parent or teacher step in. Other than that, let the children work through their confrontation together.
Some milestones you witness in a first grader’s social development can include but are not limited to:
- Elaborate pretend play
- Wants to be successful based on the rules
- Develops unstable friendships
- Begins “tattling”
- Experiences mood swings
- Plays more group or team games but may try to change rules in order to win
- Wants to please the adults in his/her life
- Wants to make up after a fight
- Express their feelings, especially anger and frustration
- Work independently
Ways that educators and parents can positively encourage social development include but are not limited to:
- Teaching children appropriate ways to express their emotions
- Form solid relationships with your child’s parents or teacher to discuss that child’s individual social needs
- Reinforce good behavior and social interactions with peers
- Play games or activities that are less likely to create conflict or spur competition such as:
Balloon Up- a fun activity where children work as a team to try and keep a balloon in the air as long as possible.
Musical Chairs- this fun game usually involves someone getting “out” but in this version, when a chair is pulled, the children sit on each other. Many Faces- in this game, children select a “face” card revealing an emotion, the child keeps it a secret and as a group we make the face that is on the card and the other student’s guess what the child is feeling. We then discuss coping strategies for each emotion.
Dramatic Play- in the classroom have a dramatic play area where there are materials that a child might see or use outside of the classroom such as a kitchen. There, when the children are in centers, the students can interact with one another and “act out” how they view society and their personal environment.
- this post was written by: Kesi Smith
