The
relationships of typically developing children with each other have been shown
to play an important part in all aspects of their social and cognitive
development. The importance of friends
and friendships are as follow:
2.1 as playmates to share fun activities
2.2 to promote cognitive and social learning
2.3 to learn how to share and co-operate
2.4 to learn to cope with disappointment or
hostility
2.5 to learn how to support and help others
2.6 to share worry and pleasures
2.7 to
contribute to self-esteem and self-identity
This list of the functions of
friendships indicates that lack of playmates and friends is a cause for
concern. In typically developing children, being isolated can lead to low
self-esteem, difficult behaviours and poor school performance.
Children
with Down syndrome are at a disadvantage in establishing relationships with
other children because of their language and cognitive delay, but it is not
clear how less opportunity for shared play and friendships effects their
development. They are more dependent on their brothers and sisters and their
friends, parents, other family members and adults for their social
relationships.
Social interaction skills are a prerequisite
for communicating with others. Typically, individuals develop these skills via
events that occur naturally throughout infancy and the early childhood years.
Children with well-developed communication skills have numerous opportunities
to engage in interactions and receive feedback regarding their attempts to
initiate and respond with both friends and adults. These opportunities may take
place in a young child's home, classroom, and community settings. They often
are available on a regular, daily basis for typically developing children.
Children with developmental delays, however, may be unable to engage in such
interactions due to their less developed initiation and response skills
(Girolametto, 1988).
The work being done here is commendable
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