How do you manage a socialization problem at school?

Socializing and managing emotions are key skills that children learn to manage and acquire as early as kindergarten. These are the first moments of social life for children, and sometimes this learning can be a challenge for some children. In this article, we'll discuss some strategies to help children manage socialization problems at school.

Find out about the role of school in the socialization process, how to help your child understand his or her socialization and how to manage conflict effectively. 

What role does school play in the socialization process?

Nursery schools play a vital role in the socialization process. In addition to the family, it's a place where children can learn the first values of community life. Confronted with a group of children of the same age as well as older children, a child will develop his or her socialization skills at school and learn to identify needs and those of others, in order to express emotions and communicate effectively.

School therefore plays an important role in the socialization process, since the adults and other children around your child will help him/her to learn about his/her emotions, and will be the real pillars of his/her development as a human and social being. In fact, the World Health Organization considers socialization to be a "life skill".

Helping your child understand socialization in nursery and elementary school

Helping children understand their own needs and those of others 

At school, you have to deal with other people and their needs. Whether it's the needs of your classmates or those of your teachers, it's important to help your child understand his or her own needs and those of others, so that he or she can make the most of socialization.

Your child's relationship-building skills are learned through play, and by expressing his or her needs in a friendly, caring way. Teaching children to listen to themselves by observing them, and understanding the consequences of certain words or actions through discussion, can help your child become aware of his or her actions within a relationship and a group.

In order to understand your child's needs, the school and teaching teams are available to help your child get to know himself and identify his needs. To find out more aboutsocialization support, read our blog post on the subject.

Helping children express their emotions

Emotions are with us all our lives, and go through a lot when we're little! The more you can help your child express his emotions and put words to what's going on inside him, the better he'll be able to express himself as he grows up. School is a perfect place to learn to express yourself. Why not ask him to tell you about his school days, based on the emotions he felt? You could, for example, use special cuddly toys like the Pipouette plush toy. Don't forget that by listening attentively, your child will feel safe to express his emotions.

Develop social and communication skills

Last but not least, school is also a place to develop social skills and the ability to communicate with others. Surrounded by other children, your child will become increasingly adept at expressing his or her intentions to share in community games. 

Many educational postures such as non-violent communication can be an interesting avenue to explore if you're interested in children's socialization. 

How do you deal with conflict in kindergarten?

School is also the place where children first come into conflict, and managing these conflicts is important for parents. Find out how promoting certain values and cooperative classes can help resolve conflict without violence. 

Promoting certain values

Dès le début de l’année, l’équipe enseignante et l’école peut mettre en oeuvre un certain nombre d’outils qui permettront aux enfants d’identifier les valeurs que prône l’école. L’écoute, la bienveillance et la positivité peuvent en faire partie. Promouvoir des valeurs communes permet de gérer les conflits à l’école et la connaissance ainsi que l’adhésion de ces valeurs par les parents sont importantes afin d’accompagner son enfant au mieux.

Au quotidien, l’enseignant a une posture professionnelle qui pourra ainsi détailler ce qui est attendu dans le vivre ensemble comme par exemple : La patience “J’attends que quelqu’un ait fini de parler avant de commencer une phrase” etc.

Making your classroom cooperative

Pour éviter que les enfants fassent bande à part, rien de mieux que les projets coopératifs. Cela peut être un projet de groupe comme s’occuper de plantes, envoyer des cartes postales à l’étranger ou aménager ensemble un coin bibliothèque.

Cooperation is at the heart of Freinet's pedagogy, encouraging listening and sharing, as well as the development of children's socio-emotional skills.

Resolving conflict without violence

The basics of non-violent communication are effective in conflict resolution. The more your child knows how to express his emotions, the more he'll have tools other than violence to make himself heard. 

En conclusion, faire face à un problème de socialisation à l'école peut être un défi, mais ce n'est pas insurmontable. En adoptant une approche proactive et en travaillant avec votre enfant et son école, vous pouvez l'aider à surmonter ses problèmes de socialisation et à s'épanouir en milieu scolaire. N'oubliez pas d'être patient et compréhensif, et de célébrer chaque petite victoire en cours de route. Soyez attentif à ses besoins notamment s’il a fait l’objet d’un déménagement en cours d’année scolaire ou d’une expatriation à l’étranger.