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Social Social DevelopmentDevelopment

Social Social DevelopmentDevelopment

The ToddlerThe ToddlerAges One - ThreeAges One - Three

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Socialization

• The process of socialization, learning to get along with others, begins gradually between the ages of one to four.

• The primary socialization goal of the 18 month old is to begin to develop some independence from the family.

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Parallel Play

• At 18 months, playing independently near, but not actually playing with another child, is characteristic.

• At 18 months, children notice the presence of other children, but there is little interaction.

• 18 month olds treat others more like objects than human beings – there may be conflicts over toys.

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Parallel PlayUnlike older children, who interact and communicate directly, toddlers play in parallel. While they may appear to be playing independently, kids this age are keeping an eye on each other's behavior. Parallel play is often a first step in forming strong social relationships outside of the family. Parallel playmates are your child's first friends.

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Cooperative Play• Play for your child and a group of friends.

Most three year olds begin Cooperative play- can take place almost anywhere — outside on the playground or downstairs in the basement. In any environment, children learn from watching other children play and interacting with them socially. Some fun cooperative play activities are:

• Interactive pretend play • Basketball • Board games • Game time, make believe time — it's all

fun time when other children are around to take part in play!

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Collaborative Play

• It's at this stage (age 3) that your child learns to master important new social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, obeying rules, and negotiating. These are all very difficult behaviors for a young child to learn.

• Preschoolers progress from solitary and parallel play to collaborative play.

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Making Friends

• Friendships are important for normal social development. Play allows children to get used to give and take in relationships.

• Children who learn to play with others early are less likely to be afraid of other children.

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Disagreements & Arguments

• When a child does not get along with playmates, parents need to monitor the situation to see no physical or emotional harm is being done.

• Children need to learn how to solve disagreements.

• Talk about the feelings of others & urge compromise.

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Types of Play for Children

• Active Play• Cooperative Play

(collaborative)• Creative Play• Dramatic Play

(imaginary)• Manipulative Play• Quiet Play

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Active Play• Play that involves movement and physical

activity. Active play is the perfect type of play to tucker any youngster out! Whether running around in the yard, or building sand castles at a local playground, active play is an essential part of a child's development. Some examples of active play are:

• Riding Bikes • Swinging at the playground • Kickball • Our toys will be the perfect outdoor

companion, providing sporting fun and activity galore!

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Creative Play• Play that explores your child's imagination

and makes something out of nothing! A box of crayons, construction paper, pipe cleaners, scissors and glue. They are all staples in the home, but when they come together in the hands of a child, they become magical works of art. But, creativity extends beyond art, entering a world of music, dance, building — even dirt! Creative play includes such things as:

• Painting • Sculpting play dough • Building or creating crafts • Providing a child a creative outlet will lead to

many amazing things, and as you may know already, some not so amazing things if it involves drawing on furniture or a wall!

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Dramatic Play• Play that involves pretend and make believe, or

whatever the imagination dreams. Have you ever found a child in your clothes? Carrying your briefcase? Wearing your old uniform? What seems commonplace to you opens a whole new world of possibilities to a child. Dramatic play can include:

• Simple role playing • Using props to create a "new" environment • Creating scenes or situations with dolls and

puppets • Children love role-playing and exploring worlds

outside of their everyday, creating new and fun situations with every costume and prop. Imagine what they think you do at work!

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Imaginary Play

Among young children, the line between fantasy and reality is delightfully fuzzy. An older toddler or a preschooler can fight dragons or fly to the moon, all without leaving his bedroom. If you want to build a child this age a fort, all you need are two chairs and a blanket to drape over them. Pretend play serves many purposes and pushes the boundaries of play. It allows your child to explore new ideas and experience life from a different perspective

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Manipulative Play• Play that involves hand-eye coordination and

motor skills. Children need the opportunity to work on finer skills that involve a little more control and direction. Manipulative play develops the sense of coordination, challenging their little fingers to follow the lines or use their tools properly. Some examples of manipulative play are:

• Coloring, especially in a defined area • Paper crafts and art involving moving parts

that need to be "put together" • Using a safe and simple tool kit to help with

tasks around the house • Cutting out a sunshine for the window or

painting within the lines — all these activities are the perfect exercise for this type of play

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Quiet Play• Play that keeps children's mouths shut but

their minds open. Playtime for children should have the opportunity to be quiet — the playtime for which adults are sometimes grateful! Children need quiet time to intently digest the items in their learning environment, like books and puzzles. Quiet play provides children an opportunity to think and reason and can include such activities as:

• Beading a necklace • Working on puzzles • Reading or looking at pictures • By providing a silent environment, children

can focus on their toys and playthings and really get down to the work of being a child. After all, play is the work of children

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Child’s Self-Concept• A young child’s self-concept – the way

he/she feels about them self – is very much influenced by how others treat the child.

• A child with a Positive Self-Concept- (sees oneself as worthwhile, capable), gets along better with others. Love and respect helps develop a positive self-concept.

• A negative-self-concept (sees oneself as bad, unimportant and incapable) affects a child’s characteristics and behaviors.

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Personality Patterns & Behaviors

• Parents should recognize and respect their child’s individuality. A child needs to be accepted for him/her self! Three basic types of personalities include:

1. Sensitive Child2. Placid Child3. Aggressive Child

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The Sensitive ChildCharacteristics Parental

Guidance•Toddlers are self-restrained and prefer to be alone.•Lack assertiveness and easily dominated•Less adventurous & hold back from new experiences•Have longer attention span & not tolerant of conflict.

•Avoid being overprotective•Encourage independence•Prepare child for new situations•Help build confidence

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The Placid ChildCharacteristics Parental Guidance

•Placid toddlers are easy going•Plays happily with others•Takes guidance well•Easy to live with

•Need encouragement and praise•Be alert to the needs of “easy” child•Offer them plenty of time, attention and care

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The Aggressive ChildCharacteristics Parental

Guidance

•Aggressive toddlers are energetic and noisy•Inclined toward active, physical play•Gets own way by grabbing, violence, crying or tantrums

•Praise child for good behavior•Point out effects of misbehavior•Avoid physical punishment•Make clear what behavior is desired

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Discipline for Toddlers• Discipline is the task of helping

children learn to behave in acceptable ways on their own without the help of an adult.

• Long range goal of discipline is to help children develop self-discipline- the ability to control one’s own behavior.

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Approaches to Discipline

Age Approach

One •Distraction•Remove child from potential harm

Two •Remove potential problems or unsafe objects•Distraction and physical removal from harm

Three •Spoken commands and explanations (can now understand adult’s reasoning)

Four •Reasonable loving discipline•Like to please parent