One of the most important goals of RBCPC Preschool is helping children grow into kind, caring, compassionate individuals. In a developmentally appropriate preschool program like ours, these values are woven into everyday experiences, relationships, and play.
Early childhood years are a foundational time for social and emotional development. Children are learning how to understand their own feelings, recognize emotions in others, and they’re learning how to navigate relationships. Teaching kindness and compassion helps young children make friends and build positive relationships. The children develop emotional awareness and empathy. Problem solving and conflict resolution skills are also strengthened as the children work to consider and care for others. Teaching children kindness and compassion encourages a sense of community in preschoolers. These life skills extend beyond the classroom and are foundational for life.
Through play, the preschoolers learn to make sense of the world, express feelings, and practice social roles. During dramatic play, children can take on different roles from doctor to mother to police officer or race car driver. These opportunities allow them to make conversation and understand how others may feel. During cooperative play, sharing, turn taking, and collaboration are all encouraged. For example, when building a structure with blocks, many negotiations are made, listening skills are used, and cooperation and teamwork are developed. During chapel, social-emotional values are communicated in Bible lessons. One of our chapel songs says, “We love, because God first loved us.”
Recently a parent shared a story about his son talking about riding bikes at school with trailers attached. With only a few of these special bikes, the father asked how the son and playmates worked to share them. The son didn’t have any “logistics” to share. It seems it “just happens.” But, in reality, it is what we practice, model, and demonstrate day after day.
RBCPC Preschool works to teach children kindness and compassion and other valuable social emotional skills that provide a necessary foundation for life. Sharing toys, taking turns, and being a good friend are ways we teach children to be a light in the world. We are grateful to walk alongside and partner with parents to nurture these important qualities in young children.