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How Preschooler Development Benefits from Play Date Participation
By Maria Connor
Play dates offer more than just a few hours of fun with other kids. The opportunity to interact with other preschoolers and adults in new and exciting settings builds important skills. Preschoolers who regularly attend play dates benefit from improved social, emotional and physical development.
- Playmates are often a preschooler’s first friendships, introducing them to the fundamentals of all relationships.
- Mixed-age play dates give preschoolers a chance to learn from older children and set an example for younger kids.
- Play dates that include visits to museums, ethnic restaurants, festivals or holiday celebrations teach preschoolers about other cultures and traditions.
- By scheduling play dates in different settings and environments, preschoolers learn to approach new situations with curiosity and an open mind.
- Preschoolers develop trust and affection for peers and other adults. In turn, preschoolers feel valued and appreciated.
- Play dates allow preschoolers to share their unique abilities, skills and personalities. This teaches preschoolers to be proud of themselves, while accepting differences in others.
- Play date activities give preschoolers a chance to master fine motor skills (writing with a crayon, manipulate buttons and zippers, etc.) and coordination (riding a bike, skipping, etc.).
- Older preschoolers (4- and 5-year-olds) begin learning the rules of games and sports such as baseball and soccer.
During the preschool years, children are growing inside and out. Participation in play dates gives preschoolers a chance to enhance their social, emotional and physical development while having a great time!
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Play dates offer more than just a few hours of fun with other kids. The opportunity to interact with other preschoolers and adults in new and exciting settings builds important skills. Preschoolers who regularly attend play dates benefit from improved social, emotional and physical development.Social Development
- Gathering with other preschoolers gives kids a chance to learn how to communicate. It also teaches other social skills such as sharing, taking turns and respecting personal boundaries.- Playmates are often a preschooler’s first friendships, introducing them to the fundamentals of all relationships.
- Mixed-age play dates give preschoolers a chance to learn from older children and set an example for younger kids.
- Play dates that include visits to museums, ethnic restaurants, festivals or holiday celebrations teach preschoolers about other cultures and traditions.
Emotional Development
- Play dates at another child’s home provide an opportunity for preschoolers to learn to separate from their parents.- By scheduling play dates in different settings and environments, preschoolers learn to approach new situations with curiosity and an open mind.
- Preschoolers develop trust and affection for peers and other adults. In turn, preschoolers feel valued and appreciated.
- Play dates allow preschoolers to share their unique abilities, skills and personalities. This teaches preschoolers to be proud of themselves, while accepting differences in others.
Physical Development
- Exercise is part of good health, so preschoolers benefit from regular opportunities to run, jump, hop, skip, dance, spin and move. It also helps burn off some of their boundless engery.- Play date activities give preschoolers a chance to master fine motor skills (writing with a crayon, manipulate buttons and zippers, etc.) and coordination (riding a bike, skipping, etc.).
- Older preschoolers (4- and 5-year-olds) begin learning the rules of games and sports such as baseball and soccer.
During the preschool years, children are growing inside and out. Participation in play dates gives preschoolers a chance to enhance their social, emotional and physical development while having a great time!
Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.
