by Valerie
Jackson
Valerie Jackson tells us how babies
socialise from an early age. Valerie, Operations Director at
Primary Steps, is responsible for the management of over thirty
day nurseries and crèches. Primary Steps, now a top ten
provider of nursery places in the UK, has one simple ambition
- to maximise the social and educational potential of each child
attending its nurseries
Have you ever wondered why
it is that most babies at about 7 to 9 months begin to look
more closely at everyone, including strangers? How many times
have you been subjected to the stares of a young child looking
over the shoulder of a parent, or sitting on a lap in a surgery
or café? Have you noticed how difficult it is to ignore
such a child? Do you find yourself smiling or playing a peek-a-boo
game? Have you ever wondered who initiates this play and what
it is all about? There is a bit of a chicken and egg question
attached to this.
Babies are born programmed
to be social creatures. From early times, humans survived by
living in groups or tribes, protecting and supporting each other.
Clear communication was necessary in order to differentiate
between friend and foe. As humans, we have many methods of communication,
from non-verbal facial expression and body language through
to actual speech. Languages of the world were most probably
developed through unique vocal sounds and intonations within
different social and national groups. Exclusivity of belonging
is important.
Imagine yourself in a town
where your language and method of communication is not understood.
Would you feel threatened or safe? How keen would you be to
become accepted and how hard would you try to become one of
the in-crowd?
Some linguistic experts
are of the opinion that the game of peek-a-boo is a vital tool
that enables a baby to develop those skills essential to clear
communication. Before language is used, the baby becomes a dedicated
communicator, by making use of its innate desire to become part
of the group. Eye contact, facial expression, knowing when to
initiate social interaction by use of timed strategies are all
part of the tactics employed to be noticed and to be included.
Let’s look more closely
at this seemingly simple game; who begins? Does it really matter?
No. The baby looks at you; you look at the baby and either smile
or make a funny face. The baby may hide its eyes in its parent’s
shoulder, but will quickly pop up to see what you are doing.
You smile or just make eye contact, and then you may decide
to hide your face behind your hands. The baby watches you intently
to see what you will do next. When you uncover your eyes, they
will probably smile and then hide, because it is their turn.
This
is an invaluable training for the give and take of a conversation.
Speaking to another person is a monologue unless we learn that
taking turns makes it a discussion, a sharing of ideas or experiences
and so on. Looking for cues to know when it is your turn to
speak can be learned through these primitive babyhood games.
Checking the mood of the speaker is also of use during a conversation.
Throughout all this, the baby gathers information which will
make them a skilled or reluctant communicator.
