Making Friends and More: How Bright Horizons Helps My Child Develop Pro-Social Skills

Meet Veronica, mother to a 3-year-old, and member of our fantastic Parent Panel; a diverse community of Bright Horizons parents sharing their experiences of raising happy, thriving and confident children. 

As a parent, watching my child develop and grow is fascinating. One area that always stands out to me is their social development. It's more than just playing nicely; it's about learning to communicate, collaborate, and understand others. This is where Bright Horizons has made a significant impact on my child's life. Here's how.

At Bright Horizons, the environment is designed to be warm and welcoming. From the moment I drop my daughter to the nursery, she is greeted with smiles and a sense of belonging. This foundation of trust and respect is crucial for young children, as it makes them feel safe and valued. It's in this nurturing atmosphere that they begin to form their first friendships.

Planned activities

The teachers at Bright Horizons plan activities that encourage children to work together, share, and communicate. Either from a group exercise or game, my daughter has learned the importance of playing together, taking turns, listening to others, and expressing her own ideas.

Free play

During these free play sessions, my daughter has been given the opportunity to choose what she wants to do and who to play with. This allows her to practise social skills in a natural and spontaneous way. This can generate conflicts, develop negotiation skills and new games and ways of playing. These moments of independent social interaction are invaluable for their development.

In particular, through encouraging children to role play, my daughter has developed ways to empathise with others, look at things from different perspectives and understand the different roles.

Guidance

All of this is done through the guidance of skilled professionals. The teachers at Bright Horizon observe and guide children through social challenges, and provide positive reinforcement. It is not just about making friends, but it’s about learning to be a kind and considerate individual.

My daughter has learned to understand other children’s different ways of playing, pace and different interests and respecting that difference.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bright Horizons helps children develop crucial pro-social skills. Through a combination of structured activities, unstructured play, role-playing, and expert guidance, my daughter significantly shifted from playing alone around others and playing together with her friends. As a parent, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing my child make friends, understand others, and grow into a kind-hearted person. Thank you, Bright Horizons, for playing such a vital role in our journey.