The Importance Of Socialization During Childhood
Humans are social beings. We spend our whole lives socializing with other people and trying to fit in with society. Our social relationships protect us from stress and lead to improved mental and physical health. Keep reading to learn about the importance of socialization during childhood.
Today’s fast pace of life in modern Western society forces people to socialize in different social systems in which they play unclear roles. To do this properly, people need social skills.
Socialization is the process that allows us to learn and adopt the norms of our society, acquire the ability to develop ourselves socially, and also create an identity through interaction with others. As you can see, socialization is the key to good development.
Socialization during childhood: phases and means
The process of socialization is divided into two stages:
The primary socialization
This is the first contact of the individual with the outside world. During this stage, children acquire basic skills through practice and imitation of what they see and are taught around them.
In the beginning it is an informal process where the primary influence is the family. The child learns values from his family and will bond with them. Childcare and the media also play an important role during this phase.
The secondary socialization
This is a somewhat more formal learning process where the person develops more complex and abstract skills. Schools and other institutes are the main resources. During this process, the child discovers new worlds that go beyond just their family. They also begin to understand hierarchies.
But what role do parents play in this process? What can we do to ensure that children can socialize well?
Socialization and the family
As we have said before, the family is not only the primary means of socialization during childhood, but also the most important.
The way parents interact with their children will be the basis of the child’s identity and behavior. In addition, every social act will have an impact on the child’s personality.
The influence of temperament on childhood socialization
Temperament plays a major role in childhood socialization. Temperament is innate and can be recognized in the first moments of your baby’s life.
Some children are active, have no fears, react a lot to their environment and are not afraid to discover things. Others, however, are quiet, calm and careful. They tend to remain dependent on their intimates and will not explore on their own.
According to Buck (1991), this is a major problem because the environment of busier children is often more sociable because of the way they are and react. The people around them will stimulate them more often because they get more attention.
On the other hand , quiet children will be less stimulated, so they miss out on many opportunities to socialize and learn the rules.
Therefore, you should make sure that, despite their temperament, you always stimulate your children enough and give them enough opportunities to improve their social skills and interact with their environment without fear.
Parenting Styles
Another important aspect is the parenting style adopted by the parents, because it gives the children guidelines for how they see the world and how they should behave in it.
Children need democratic and confident parents who listen to their feelings and teach them to discover new things and make their own choices. Parents should also remain consistent and set reasonable boundaries.
Finally , children need parents who let them know that the world is a positive and safe place in which to develop.
