Language skills were encouraged through family style meals and scientific skills

Time was set aside to work on literacy skills. Books and reading
were encouraged. Language skills were encouraged through family style meals and scientific skills
through building tools and table top toys. A science center was posted. Also two computers were
visible and some clocks which could also help with the development of math skills.
How does this classroom support children’s acquisition of social skills and emotional development?
What do teachers do to promote opportunities for social interaction and emotional development? (11
points)
Focusing on Virtual Classroom’s “A Day In Preschool”, I found that the classroom provided numerous
opportunities for children to develop a healthy emotional development and age appropriate acquisition
of social skills. First, the children and their parents are all warmly greeted upon arrival and made to feel
welcome. The family style meals and conversation and cooperation they include encourage each child
to feel like an important part of his or her class. The morning meetings build a sense of community. The
large group gatherings reinforce the message that each child is an important part of the class. This
contributes to emotional development and the frequent smaller group gatherings enable even the
shyest to work on projects they enjoy, develop closer friendships and improve their social skills. During
outdoor time, classmates are shown playing ring around the rosy together. This is an important lesson
in the importance of including everyone in fun activities. Other examples of togetherness include the
encouragement of children to work together during clean up time and the comradery of songs before
meals. One excellent example of healthy development of social skills was found on the “Communicating
Your Schedule” video. A student of perhaps four years old held a sign and walked from center to center
to remind his classmates that “clean up time” would begin in five minutes. This reminded them that
they each hold important roles and responsibilities. It demonstrated the importance of listening, not
only to their teachers but also to each other.