RICHIE MCFARLAND CHILDREN’S CENTER

11 Sandy Point Road

Stratham, NH  03885

(603) 778-8193

www.richiemcfarland.org          

Social Development

 

What do parents want most for their children?   Good health? Superior intelligence?   Great athletic ability?   All of these attributes can possibly make a child’s life easier and happier, but perhaps the most important factor for a lifetime of happiness is the ability to get along with others. 

 

Sometimes referred to as “social competence,” the ability to establish and maintain relationships is the cornerstone to a child’s healthy development. 

 

Frequently overlooked in favor of physical and intellectual development, positive social development enables children to express their wishes and preferences clearly, including frustrations, without escalating disagreements or harming others.  It enables them to compromise, to take turns easily and not be intimidated by bullies.  Socially competent children are usually accepted by other children and in turn accept and enjoy their peers and adults without prejudice. 

 

"The single best childhood predictor of adult adaptation is not school grades, and not classroom behavior, but rather, the adequacy with which the child gets along with other children. Children who are generally disliked, who are aggressive and disruptive, who are unable to sustain close relationships with other children, and who cannot establish a place for themselves in the peer culture are seriously at risk, " reports Willard W. Hartup in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly. 

 

According to Hartup, the risks include poor mental health, dropping out of school, low achievement and other school difficulties, and poor employment history. 

 

The foundation of healthy social development is built when children develop a sense of trust and predictability that others will treat them in a warm and responsive manner.  Once this foundation is laid, the child is able to feel safe in their interactions with others. They can learn how their own behavior influences how others treat them. 

 

Social development begins at birth and progresses rapidly during the preschool years. Socialization is closely connected with intellectual development because young children learn in a social context, primarily through interactions and pretend play with adults and peers. Parents and caregivers can encourage healthy social development by being warm and responsive, and by modeling friendly social behavior.  

 

With an infant, show delight when your baby tries new things.  Enjoy games like peek-a-boo.  Imitate your baby’s noises and sounds. Giving young children regular opportunities to play with other children helps them to develop both socially and intellectually. Praise your toddler often; encourage him or her to explore their world. Visit a play area frequently. Model and encourage and good manners like saying “please” and “thank you.” Widen the range of social opportunities available to your child by joining a play group or setting up “play dates.” 

 

Childcare centers can be a wonderful opportunity for children to socialize.  Having regular opportunities to play with peers and adults outside of the family enables children to learn how to get along with larger audiences. 

 

Developmental milestones for social behavior are based on a child’s ability to show a healthy interest in others.  It is important to remember that children’s social behavior will vary based on their personality, temperament, family relationships and culture. Children who are physically or medically fragile may struggle to engage socially due to distractions caused by increased physical or emotional sensitivity.

 

Birth to 8 months

¨ Newborns prefer the human face and human sound.  Within the first two weeks, they recognize and prefer the sight, smell and sound of the principal caregiver.

¨ Social smile and mutual gazing is evidence of early social interaction.  The infant can initiate and terminate these interactions.

¨ Anticipates being lifted or led and moves body to participate.

¨ Sees adults as objects of interest and novelty.  Seeks out adults for play.  Stretches arms to be taken.

 

8 to 18 months

¨ Exhibits anxious behavior around unfamiliar adults.

¨ Enjoys exploring objects with another as the basis for establishing relationships.

¨ Gets others to do things for child’s pleasure (wind-up toys, read books, get dolls).

¨ Shows considerable interest in peers.

¨ Demonstrates intense attention to adult language.

18 months to three years

¨ Shows increased awareness of being seen and evaluated by others.

¨ Sees others as a barrier to immediate gratification.

¨ Begins to realize others have rights and privileges.

¨ Gains greater enjoyment from peer play and joint exploration.

¨ Begins to see benefits of cooperation.

¨ Identifies self with children of same age or sex.

¨ Is more aware of the feelings of others.

¨ Exhibits more impulse control and self-regulation in relation to others.

¨ Enjoys small group activities.

 

If you have questions or concerns about your child's social development, contact your pediatrician or go to Educational Resources Information Center website at www.ericeece.org and search on “social development” for articles on this topic.

- Published by Seacoast Newspapers, 2002