There are many children who do not go to Nursery School from 0 to 3 years old and start Early Childhood Education from 3 to 6 years old, and there are even children who go directly to Primary School Beginning at 6 years. But what is correct? Is it okay for children not to go to nursery school from 0 to 3 years old or do they need to go as soon as possible to be able to socialize with their peers?
Baby’s development
Babies need to interact, whether it’s with mom, dad, grandparents or their dolls. In the most basic sense, socialization does not need to be taught because it is already ingrained in the child at birth. While being around other babies and toddlers, whether in the form of classes, playgroups, or nursery school, has some benefits for both mom and baby, there’s no need to worry about socializing your child yet.
Much of the interaction required for social development comes naturally. Although many parents wonder if it is necessary to send their children to preschools to socialize and have more contact with others, but do babies really need socialization?
Do babies need socialization?
Yes, but it is already happening without you realize. Socialization literally begins at birth with skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and holding your baby whenever you want. All of this makes the baby feel part of a larger community, which is family at first.
Before the age of 3, babies get most of the social engagement they need from being around their parents or siblings (if they have them). Babies socialize simply by interacting with the world around them.
Does my child need to be around other babies and toddlers?
The Babies don’t need to be around other babies for the sake of social development. When your child is still this young, playgroups are an opportunity to seek support from a network of parents going through similar experiences. p>
That said, babies enjoy the benefit of being around other babies because they learn to maneuver in new environments and play with different toys. Most babies engage in “parallel play” and play side by side. This happens before they interact directly with other children, which usually doesn’t happen until they are 2 or 3 years old.
So, is it absolutely necessary?
The answer is clear: it is not necessary. A baby can benefit from socialization in a family environment where she has all the stimulation she needs to develop socially in a healthy environment. It is true that there are some families where this stimulation is not enough and then that extra stimulation will be necessary by going to nursery schools.
But it is necessary to remember that in the first years of life , babies from 0 to 3 years old can enjoy a good socialization only with the contact between the relatives. Going to school earlier does not guarantee that the child will develop better than others. What matters is that the social environment in your home is healthy all the time and the child grows up in an environment of acceptance and constant love.
What the experts say
From the Spanish Association of Pediatrics they recommend not taking children to nursery schools before the age of two since they have a weaker immune system and it is dangerous for them to be exposed to so much virus at their around.
Of course, there are many parents who must work and who do not have relatives or other ways to care for their children during working hours and therefore need to take their children to nursery schools. This is something customary and totally normal and respectable. But it is done more out of a job need for the parents than for the needs of the children.
It will be between 3 and 5 years when little ones begin to develop their identity, and it will be then when socialization becomes more important in childhood. At these ages, children begin to identify as individuals independent of their parents, learn to resolve conflicts, begin to understand the emotions of others, etc. The development of social skills is closely linked to social-emotional development.