Philip's Notes to Staff and Parents

 The Importance of "Quality" Adult Interactions with Preschoolers

     During their most formative years, the preschool and early school age years, the impact of the social interactions significant adults have on the personal development of children is tremendous! (Young children's most significant adults are first and foremost parents, then teachers and relatives).

     Preschoolers learn virtually everything from their "Context" (environments like home and school) including who they are, their sense of worth, and how to interact appropriately with fellow human beings.

     The "quality" of the interactions with children is actually much more important than the "content" of the interactions.  Since young children watch (they are great observers!) more than listen to what adults do, how adults do things communicates more to children than what is said.

Preschoolers are experts at non-verbal communication and listen first to tone and mood, and last to content!

     What constitutes "Quality" Interactions?  Low tone, non-forceful interactions that give children the non-verbal message that you respect them.  Children do not "command" respect, you must role model it for them, give it to them as a gift.  Let them know you love them unconditionally no matter what their behavior is!  Such interactions are low-toned without high emotional intensity and are characterized by speaking with the child, not at him/her.  (A high emotional context in interactions with children actually keeps the children from hearing the content of the spoken words).