It is the parents who remain a child’s playmate for two or three years. The two of you have traveled Disneyland and read a lot of fairy tales. And as your lovable child gets older, he needs to socialize with a lot many people around in the school or play schools as his playmates will be one of the most important parts of his life. Playdates and playmates are not significant just because the kid makes new friends to play with but these playdates mean a lot more than just fun activities. In a way the child acquires and learn about the social behavior through this. Good habits like sharing and helping starts with the first friends that he makes. Not just the positive traits but he also learns to resolve a conflict. Pre-schools enhance the social skills of a toddler and here are a few guidelines that will help the parents to host a successful playdate.
1. Listen carefully
After your kid returns to home from the school, notice if he calls a name many times. Do ask him if he wants to call his friend and the other playmates too at home to play and have fun. In fact, you should keep updating yourself with the teacher if there is any other child who is a good friend of your child. If so, you can ask the child to call his friends and interact with them as this would help in gaining social skills.
2. Smaller is better
There are a certain important things that need to be ensured while hosting events like playdates; make sure that the duration of such a gathering should not be extended for more than two or three hours as a two hour meeting is enough to have fun. Do not invite a lot of kids. Just invite one child so that the child manages to know his friend well. An odd number will not help as the probability of any one left out will increase.
3. Keep it familiar
Do remember that if it is the very first playdate of your kid, do not send him to an unfamiliar place. Rather organize it at home or else send him to those places that he is familiar with. If the playdate is organized at any of his friend’s home, then make sure that you accompany him. The child will not get nervous at any moment and particularly if he gets involved in any act of fight; you can get him out of that and settle the issue. It should be on your part to invite the parents or caretaker of other child too if you are making all the arrangements for a play-date. This is because it takes a little time for the kids to settle. In fact, it’s a good opportunity for you to make friends.
4. Plan ahead
Before the playdate begins and your child’s friend hops-in, ask your kid about the snacks that they would prefer. If the kid doesn’t want to share his favorite toys then simply ask him to keep away to avoid fighting stuffs. Limit the use of computer at this time.
5. Be present but be invisible
After the playdate starts do not simply go away. Refer them some activities and things that they can do or get engaged with. Help them in setting their games and toys but after the things settle down, back off a little. If kids are busy in their own world of games, then don’t worry as it is usual and certain for kids at this age.
6. Conflict? Let them work it out
Do not jump in the quarrels until it gets high and physical. Let them sort it out on their own. Small fights are not an issue to worry about as these are temporary and children get back together. If the situation gets worsening then it’s fair to step in. Tell them it’s not good to quarrel and crave over small things. Ask them to get back together. Serve some snacks or soft-drinks to divert their minds.
7. The end is near
When 15 or 20 minutes are left for the guests to leave, tell them to have a clean-up session and get dressed up like a prince or princess. If they are not ready to set the toys in the right place, then you can ask them to compete in a way that the thing gets done and they also learn to place the toys in the right place. Help them in doing so as they are kids.
