How Events Can Be Used To Build Social Connections Between Children

Socialization, a skill we use throughout our entire lives, starts in early childhood development. Often, parents, caregivers, and teachers are essential roles in building this skill in kids. There are also a variety of methods parents and caregivers can cultivate socialization in a variety of ways. 

In addition to regular, daily socialization efforts, parents can also take their kids to an exciting event every once in a while, such as birthdays and community celebrations. Events are a good opportunity to bring groups of kids together for special activities that may promote more group collaboration and socialization. It can also help you collaborate with other parents and caregivers to build your children’s social circles.  

The Importance of Socialization

Early childhood socialization is key in developing many long-term developmental benefits, such as:

  • Building empathy;
  • Developing language skills;
  • Promoting concepts of sharing;
  • Promoting concepts of teamwork;
  • Building confidence;
  • Preparing for school.

In general, early childhood socialization will have a strong impact on a person’s social skills and strategies later in life. Meanwhile, poor socialization can have a wide range of negative impacts on a child’s social development. This could include everything from timidness and poor teamwork to delayed language development and serious disorders such as RAD (reactive attachment disorder), which is a condition characterized by difficulty with social bonds caused by a lack of proper emotional bonding with caretakers. 

More severe negative impacts will usually only result from more severe examples of social and emotional isolation. However, even mild issues with early childhood socialization can have notable long-term impacts. To avoid these outcomes, parents, and guardians must expose their children to a variety of situations and people. 

Focus on Shared Interests

To maximize success in socializing kids at an event, you should consider any shared interests between the children involved. For example, it may be helpful to consider whether all the children enjoy sports, crafts, popular franchises, etc. This could inform the activities planned for the event or even the overall theme of the event. 

You can also build an event based on other previous interests a child may have. For example, if you know a kid enjoys crafts, it may be reasonable to introduce them to a new artistic medium. You can find out more about the individual kids’ interests and personalities and coordinate by discussing with the other parents and caregivers. 

Consider the Needs of All Your Guests 

The best way to avoid animosity at a social event for children is to make sure each child feels heard, especially regarding their needs. If a child feels like their social, emotional, or mental needs aren’t met at a party, they may feel left out or have an overall crummy time. Notably, you should be aware of any accessibility needs of individual children. 

For example, a child with limited mobility could feel left out of activities that involve a lot of movement if accommodations are made for them. Or, a child with sensory sensitivities could become overwhelmed and distressed when experiencing a lot of sensory stimuli. You can avoid these circumstances as a parent by including other parents in a discussion about how you can make sure every child feels included in each activity. In addition, provide multiple backup plans in case anyone feels left out regardless of your preparations. 

Organize Guided Group Activities  

Guided group activities can not only get children accustomed to functioning within a group but also help them learn how to achieve goals in a group setting. Any group activity can help children better understand social dynamics, but with structure and clear goals, these activities can become more targeted socialization endeavors. Guided group activities can include things like:

Such activities can also be beneficial in the sense that they can operate with minimal oversight from parents and caregivers — offering a reprieve from the stress of hosting and overseeing a children’s party.

Incorporate Interactive Games 

Interactive games are also ideal for promoting socialization. An interactive game is a game where the children supply a lot of personally led insights and actions to achieve their goals. It will also promote interpersonal communication and social activities. Interactive games can vary from anything from sports to charades. Anything that involves significant interaction and collaboration between participants can be sufficiently interactive. Additionally, to bring something new into the mix, it may be helpful to rent equipment for interactive games. 

Plan Activities With Shared Goals 

By establishing shared goals, children can bond more closely together. While they may have different strategies for working toward a goal, they know they may have to collaborate to create a more effective strategy to reach their desired goal. This teaches children to understand and work with different operating strategies in a social setting. An activity with a shared goal can be something that involves overcoming another team or meeting a particular object. For example, you could ask the children to complete an obstacle course and obtain a prize at the end.

Encourage Imaginative Play 

Imaginative play is the expression of creativity through the lens of games or other activities. While this can be done on an individual basis, this type of play can also be done in a group to promote socialization. By collaborating on an imaginative scenario, children can learn to relate to others in an entertaining way and also work with others to develop something new. Imaginative play is an important element in social development. 

Although previous studies have been inconclusive on the extent to which play-pretend enhances emotional or cognitive development, one 2023 study found that children who interacted with imaginative activity showcased more social development and skills than those who didn’t. At a party this could like anything from playing with dolls to the “floor is lava.” The more kids get lost in their imagination, they more they can bond with others over their joy. As a parent, it’s important to encourage this kind of play at parties. Not only can it entertain kids for the time being and build future friendships, but it can also benefit them for years to come.