Childhood development is a complex process that entails a lot of components as children learn new skills. Friendship and peer networking are essential aspects of middle childhood, and their impact is often underrated (Rose et al., 2022). Peer networking and friendship have a great impact on the development of a child and their overall well-being. Key benefits of middle childhood relationships include enhanced social skills as the child learns to interact well with people (Wentzel et al., 2018). Further, it aids in developing emotional intelligence. The children master their mood changes and how to control them. Networking also plays a role in managing feelings of loneliness, reducing stress and giving a sense of belonging.
The policy at an elementary school that prevents students from playing and having adults watch over them is a bad one with developmental repercussions. The rationale for such rules in schools is mostly related to disciplinary cases, as children tend to be active and curious. Their interactions may result in small fights and the destruction of property (Wentzel et al., 2018). Therefore, most learning institutions prefer to hold their students and keep them quiet. Students in elementary need an opportunity to play and network with their peers.
Play aids in cognitive development and creativity among children. Further, learners who engage in play have great classroom success and achievements. The children also improve their social and communication abilities. Physical activity aid in promoting motor skills for learners, such as handwriting (Bergin & Bergin, 2018). The play also allows learners to interact with their peers and develop interpersonal networks. Therefore, the students can grow themselves and enhance their well-being through networking benefits. Thus, they improve their self-esteem and sense of belonging and enhance their happiness while reducing stress and feelings of loneliness.
References
Bergin, C. C., & Bergin, D. A. (2018). Child and Adolescent Development in Your Classroom, Chronological Approach. Cengage Learning.
Rose, A. J., Borowski, S. K., Spiekerman, A., & Smith, R. L. (2022). Children’s friendships. The Wiley‐Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development, 487-502. Web.
Wentzel, K. R., Jablansky, S., & Scalise, N. R. (2018). Do friendships afford academic benefits? A meta-analytic study. Educational Psychology Review, 30(4), 1241-1267. Web.