How Before and After School Care Helps Your Child Develop Social Skills

Beyond access to a safe care arrangement, before and after school hours care programs create a learning environment where children gain great social skills. As a parent, the most important thing is for your child to thrive in every way possible. That is why the need for social skills extends beyond the program hours.  

With the right setting, your child can develop skills that will help them well into the future. This is one of the many reasons why Before and After School Care is a valuable investment for any parent.

Why is it Important to have Social Skills? 

The social skills that children develop during their early years are crucial for their future success. Good social skills enable children to relate well to others, communicate effectively, and build positive relationships. These skills also help children to resolve conflicts peacefully and to cooperate with others.  

When children have strong social skills, they do better in school and in life. They are more likely to get along with their peers, do well academically, and have successful careers. In contrast, children who lack social skills often struggle in school and in their relationships with others. They may have difficulty making friends, be more likely to get into fights and be at risk of dropping out of school.  

Building these skills has both immediate and long-term benefits for children. They not only allow children to enjoy better relationships but also to grow as individuals. 

This is an ability that grows over time, which is why having the right setting makes a significant difference. Social skills are refined and strengthened by modelling, correction, and practice. As a child interacts with another individual, whether a peer or a teacher, they face situations that require communication, boundaries, conflict resolution, respect, and more. Before and After-school hours care programs are a great way for children to socialise with their peers in a supervised setting.  

Sense of Belonging  

Before and after-school care is a less formal education setting, meaning children are more likely to play and explore. The less structured format creates a space to build confidence as they engage with others. As they connect, they learn to bond and understand their place in relation to others.  

Growing these skills starts with establishing both a sense of identity and a sense of community. Both elements work together to assist the child in their growth journey. Being part of a group teaches them who they are and the importance of relating to others in a healthy way.  

When children feel like they belong, they are more likely to take risks and try new things. They are also more likely to cooperate, trust others, and be more engaged in their education. A sense of belonging is essential for children to gain social skills. It allows them to become more confident, connect with others, and feel like they are part of something larger.  

All of these elements are important for social skills development. CABOOSH Vacation Care is one such program run during the school holidays that helps children gain a sense of belonging. Our program is designed to create a community where children feel comfortable and supported. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to belong, grow, and thrive.  

Sharing 

As the old saying goes, “Sharing is caring.”   

Before and after school care is a great place for a child to understand how to share with others. Sharing is a basic tool to commune with those around you. Children between the ages of 3 and 6 often struggle to respond appropriately when asked to share their resources with others. They may see the world as a competition where they need to grab as much as they can or may feel concerned that there may not be enough for themselves. It is vital to teach children early on that sharing is an act of kindness. When children share with others, they are showing they care about them.  

Sharing also teaches children how to be considerate of others. They start to think about what the other person might want or need. This is a critical skill to have in many social situations.  

Understanding how to share also helps children build relationships with others. When they share, they show trust and consideration for the other person. These are important elements of any healthy relationship.  

CABOOSH out-of-school hours care provides a safe environment for children to begin to share through encouragement and support. We believe that sharing is a fundamental skill that all children should learn.  

Growing Stronger Friendships 

One of the benefits of before and after-school care is that it provides opportunities for children to build stronger friendships.  

Friendships are an essential part of a child’s social development. Friendships provide children with someone to talk to, share experiences with, and rely on. They also teach children how to cooperate, compromise, and resolve conflicts.  

Children who have strong friendships are more likely to experience less anxiety and do better in school.  In out of school hours care, children are given the opportunity to interact with potential friends from different grades, classes, and even different schools depending on the service (this is not the case for most services operating on a school site), opening them up to friendships they may not be able to make otherwise during the normal school day. 

CABOOSH before and after school hours care understands how friendships benefit a child’s social development and provides opportunities for social interactions and friendships to flourish and grow. 

Making Eye Contact 

Eye contact is an important social skill that children can learn in before and after school care.  

It is crucial for communication and shows the other person that you are interested in what they have to say and that you are paying attention. It can also make the other person feel more comfortable and respected. For children, this social skill can be difficult. They may be shy or have trouble paying attention. But with practice, they can begin to make eye contact and use it as a tool to communicate better with others.  

If your child struggles with maintaining eye contact these ideas may help them learn: 

Make it A Game 

Play a game with your child, when meeting new people take them aside later and ask them what the eye colour is of the person they were speaking to. This will lessen worry and anxiety over looking at those they are talking to and will help your child be more engaged with those around them while also having fun and learning through play. 

Practice During Conversations 

Communication and conversations with your child are most likely a daily occurrence and can be used to improve social skills in many areas, from active listening to eye contact. When you want to get your child's attention call their name and wait until they look at you.  

If your child is distracted by a toy or activity, approach them and place your hand on theirs, or on their back, to break their focus and initiate their interest before saying their name again and waiting for them to look at you. 

Teaching by Example 

Be sure to use eye contact when speaking to your child, one of the best ways children learn is by emulating those around them. While spending time with your children or family, look at them during conversations and communication, no matter how tempting it may be to look at your phone instead. 

Developing Listening Skills 

Before and after school care is not only a time for children to build their social skills but also a time for them to grow their listening skills.  

Listening is an important tool for children to have as it helps them in all areas of life, from school to friendships. When children learn to listen, they are better able to understand and follow instructions. They can also create better relationships with others, as they will be able to communicate more effectively.  

There are many ways that children can use their listening skills in before and after school care. One way is through group activities. When children participate in group activities, they learn to listen to others and follow directions. They also learn to cooperate and work together as a team. Another way children can develop their listening skills is through one-on-one interactions with adults. These interactions give children the opportunity to practice their listening skills in a secure and friendly environment.  

Builds Confidence 

One reliable way to improve social skills and conversation skills is to build confidence. When children are self-assured they make new friends more easily and have more positive interactions in their social life. 

A great way to do this is to encourage your child to participate in group activities. This gives them the opportunity to interact with other children and adults, as well as practice their social skills. Group activities also help children learn to cooperate and work together as a team by encouraging them to talk, play and support one another through tasks while also sharing their own ideas.  

Another way we can encourage children is through positive reinforcement. When children are praised for their efforts by parents, teachers or peers, they are more likely to continue using the skills that they have learned. This reinforces positive behaviour and helps children feel good about themselves.  

By participating in before and after-school care, children have the opportunity to develop an understanding of their own emotions, build confidence, and improve their communication skills. These are important skills that will help them throughout their lives. 

If you are interested in enrolling your child in before and after-school care, please contact us. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.