Since last year, the Pandemic has brought a big change in how we live, work and interact. Physical socialization came to a sudden stop. It has left many parents wondering if their child would be deprived of an important developmental step. No matter if a child is shy, or an extrovert, he or she will benefit from age-appropriate opportunities to socialize. Every child enjoys playing in a group, especially with his or his own age. Peer-to-peer interaction is an important part of growing up. Children typically do better with being co-operative, physically affectionate and more independent. Social interaction helps young children grow naturally. Sharing and taking turns are some of the important skills learned when socializing. It helps a child manage personal feelings, understanding others’ feelings and interact in a respectful and acceptable way. Children develop empathy for others during this process. They gain the ability to understand when their friends are expressing certain emotions. Over time, children learn to apply these skills with their parents, siblings and even pets. Digital activities on the internet do not provide the same level of socialization as face-to-face interaction.
Sending your child to a child care centre remains the best way to provide the social interaction that they need. Early childhood experiences outside the home can have a major impact on a child’s early socialization and make it easier for him/her to transition to school. Socialization is the foundation to the development of future important milestones. Separating from Mom or Dad teaches a child to cope with other children. Each interaction helps your child move more comfortably among social groups and adjust to changing environments. This makes for a happy and healthy child and allows you to feel less anxious about watching him grow. However, parents want to know that their child is attending an institution that takes full precautions against COVID-19, so that their child can enjoy this type of social interaction in the safest environment possible.
We at Tiny Hoppers St. Albert South go above and beyond with our newest health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of all children and families. All while providing an environment where our little ones can experience physical social interaction and truly thrive. Some of our measures in place include — maintaining cohorts, checking temperatures twice a day or more frequently as needed, staff wearing masks at all times, sanitizing surfaces, frequent handwashing, following the public health guidelines and communicating that information back to parents.
We understand that these are uncertain times for all, which is why we want to provide our families with the highest level of safety and quality when it comes to child care.
