Indicator: Social and Interpersonal Skills (SOC)

Children demonstrate effective social and interpersonal skills

During the infant, toddler, and preschool years, children demonstrate dramatic growth in their ability to interact with and form meaningful relationships with others. The initial attachment of the infant to the primary caregiver provides the basis for this development of social relationships with other adults and with peers. By the end of the preschool years, most children have developed the social skills they need to interact effectively with adults and other children. They can engage in cooperative play and form friendships with peers. They also begin to use this developing social awareness and growing knowledge of social rules and values to express empathy for others and to resolve conflicts.

The first and most important relationship for infants is the one they form with a primary caregiver who is nurturing and responsive to their needs. This attachment relationship sets the stage for all future social and emotional learning. Although not yet ready for peer friendships, infants are curious and interested in discovering other infants, and they enjoy being with other infants.

As important as attachment is, the next stage of separation is just as important. As the infant realizes that she and her caregiver are two individual beings, she struggles with the anxiety of being apart and, simultaneously, her desire for autonomy as she explores her independence.

Over the next few years, children expand their relationships to include adults and peers outside of their immediate family. They further identify themselves as individuals and reach out to explore their potentials and limitations. Peer relationships evolve from early exploration to collaborative play with others and the development of friendships. Simultaneously, their relationships with adults evolve from one of complete dependence to one that permits some perspective—they are now able to view adults as valuable resources for guidance, support, reflection, conversation, and interaction.

As their cognitive abilities grow, children are able to identify and describe themselves and others. They develop an understanding of others’ feelings and needs, and they learn to negotiate conflict within the constraints of social rules and values.