Social relationships are a key factor in the quality of life for all children. Youth with disabilities can feel especially isolated and frustrated in social situations. Child care providers, along with teachers, are in an important position to support social interaction and skill development. To facilitate social relationships, child care providers can create and support socialization opportunities and make accommodations in the physical environment.
Socialization Opportunities
Organized recreational activities can provide an avenue for children with disabilities to experience social interaction. Child care providers can build opportunities for youth to develop social skills by promoting interaction. For example, board games and balls promote play among children, whereas books or drawing encourage solitary play. When selecting an activity, the emphasis in group participation should be on cooperation rather than competition.
Studies indicate that a child with a disability plays better with two or three children than in larger groups. These studies also suggest varying the children in the group. By having a variety of children in a group, the child with the disability can expand his or her role. More sophisticated children will be role models and have better communication skills while less sophisticated children will allow the child with a disability more leadership opportunity.
Accommodations to the Environment
Adjustments to the environment, instruction or the materials utilized in a child care setting will allow children with disabilities to have at least partial participation in social opportunities. Child care providers broaden participation of youth with disabilities by adapting skill sequences, providing personal assistance, adapting rules and adjusting the physical environment. When looking at the environment, it's best to have a defined area for play. By making a few changes, all children can take part in a wide range of activities.
Support
Child care providers can serve as an important source of support for children with disabilities. Providers can be a role model for the other children through their interactions with youth who have disabilities. Support should be based on the needs of a particular child. This support should be flexible, taking into account the child's changing needs.
A child care provider can help facilitate social relationships by helping others focus on each child's individual strengths. It is important that children see similarities between themselves and others. At times, it might be necessary for a child care provider to teach the child how to interact with peers in an appropriate way.
Child care providers need to resist giving too much support which can result in the creation of barriers. Providers should be aware that an adult presence may inhibit interactions. At times, it's important that the child care provider let some relationships happen on their own. Empowering youth to make decisions allows them to develop the ability to make respected choices, which in turn fosters independence.
All children with disabilities, even the most severe, can benefit from participation in recreational activities and interchanges with peers their own age. Socialization opportunities allow children with disabilities to have fun, relax and meet others who share similar interests.