Assignment task: Read and respond to the following scenario:
Michael and Leah are the parents of 3-year-old Mia. They live in a rural area, where Mia rarely has opportunities to interact with other children. Mia is not enrolled in a child-care or preschool program because her grandmother watches her while her parents are at work. Michael and Leah are trying to decide if they should arrange a regular play group for Mia or if they should simply wait until she is old enough for kindergarten.
On the basis of the research presented in the text, what advice would you give to Michael and Leah?
What are the benefits of peer relations during the preschool years? Is there any advantage to waiting until Mia enters kindergarten? Why or why not - be specific.
(Support your description with a scholarly source, which may be the textbook.)
Note that the source of references should also be cited in the body of the discussion