Social Development – What can a child do at what age?

The social development of children from 1 month to 8 years in an overview. What should a child be able to do socially at a certain age? Every child goes through social development phases; however, the pace may differ per child. Related to the average, average profile of ‘normal’ social development, we look at what skills a child should have. An overview with details – step by step the development of social skills by age.

Social Development – What skills should a child from 1 month to 8 years have?

Social Development Profile . Below is an overview of the social development of children from 0 to 7 years old. This overview is based on the average age at which children (should) be able to master certain social skills. It must be emphasized that in reality there are of course always individual differences, due to, among other things, differences in pace of development, a different sequence of developmental steps and the child’s own capabilities, but environmental factors also play a very important role in development. It will depend, among other things, on the way and extent to which a child is stimulated by the environment (parents, place in the family, friends, daycare center, school, etc.).

Normal Social Development. The overview below therefore only gives an idea of what the average age is at which children should be able to control certain things, in relation to the average normal development. The overview can be regarded as a kind of general guideline to take a closer look at the normal social development of a child.

Stages of Social Development – What does a child master at the age of 1 month – 8 years?

Age Stage Child	Social Development Phases of the Child – Social Development 1 to 12 months
1 month	Looks at a face when it is within 12 inches (30 cm) of the face
	Response to physical contact, which can create an interaction between mother and child
	Becomes calm when taken out of the crib
2 months	First smile in response to mother’s presence (± 6 weeks)
	Begins to listen and respond to the mother’s (caregiver) voice
	Start tracking with the eyes
	Cries in different ways
3 months	Follows the moving face of the mother (caregiver) with the eyes
	Starts vocalizing himself and notices this sound, from this:
	Further interaction between mother and child develops
	Turns head towards the sound, searching
	Returns a smile from the other
4 months	Cheerfully excited during ‘play contact’
	Crying when contact is broken
	Begins to distinguish and respond to facial expressions of the adult
	Distinguishes being alone-together; responds to sudden loss of contact
5 months	Turns to speakers
	Can be calmed when crying by speaking to it
	Starts repeating sounds
6 months	Holds out arms expecting to be arrested
	Responds to an adult’s facial expression through facial expressions and sounds
	Learns to understand the meaning of interaction and facial expressions
	Reacts negatively when a toy is taken away
7 months	Beginning of social imitation (e.g. waving hello)
	Actively attracts attention from adults
	Smiles at himself in the mirror
8 months	Distinguishes acquaintances – strangers
	Reticence towards strangers (sometimes really anxious)
	Touches herself in the mirror
	Steps out of the two-unit (dyad) with mother
	Can play peek-a-boo game
9 months	Addresses the adult’s behavior to the extent he or she is familiar with it
	Understands word(s)
	Can find something if it is hidden under a cloth
10 – 12 Months	Adult gestures are responded to efficiently
	Responds to mention of name
	Recognizes own reflection
	Can show affection (through kisses)
	Can donate an item upon request

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 1 to 1.5 years
1 – 1.5 years	Imitation of everyday actions
	Performs simple commands
	Start of playing together (e.g. rolling ball); continues to play alongside others
	Begin independence by being able to move around on your own
	Learns to say no ; you could call this the first concrete expression of will
	Understands a ban
	Beginning of ‘shame’ of being naughty through awareness of the adult’s approval and disapproval
	Interaction with other children becomes more personal: interest in other children

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 1.5 to 2 years
1.5 – 2 years	Beginning of the concept of ownership
	Trying to tell what it experienced
	Calls herself by name
	Actively turns to the adult for help or to demonstrate something
	Knows the way home
	Can’t share with other children yet
	Depends a lot on mother, is shy around strangers
	Children are more tolerant towards each other: behavior is slightly better adapted to the activities of the other child
	Become aware of the gender difference
approx. 2 years	The concept of ‘I’, you and me, is used for the first time (beginning I-awareness)

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 2 to 2.5 years
2 – 2.5 years	Increasing self-awareness; I and you will still be used interchangeably for a while
	Beginning of the stubbornness phase: one’s own will is discovered, which is accompanied by proof of one’s own independence
	Unbalanced social behavior with strong extremes: dependence and independence
	Discovering oneself as the center of one’s own actions
	Takes the other person’s toys
	Can remember rhymes, verses and stories

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 2.5 to 3 years
2.5 – 3 years	Limited real independence, namely own person, own will, own ideas
	Some self-control
	Becomes cooperative, understanding simple motivations
	Is very sensitive to praise and criticism
	Uses the term we
	Learns to share and wait for your turn
	Better adjustment in group with children
	Is more likely to follow advice from friends than from adults

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 3 to 4 years
3 – 4 years	Sense of solidarity
	Can play with other children, especially a lot of role play; better with two children than with several
	Accepts social rules and simple game rules
	Knows how to distinguish between mine and yours
	Begins to move away from home; can go back independently

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 4 to 5 years
4 – 5 years	More realistic compared to your own possibilities
	Criticism of adults
	Competition element makes its appearance; is often unable to cope with loss
	Initial work and task readiness arises
	Playing together in small groups is possible

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 5 to 6 years
5 – 6 years	Distances himself more from parents, especially from mother
	I am faced with an inner conflict
	Put yourself more and more centrally; also more critical of themselves
	Interest in one’s own babyhood, together with the possibility of moving into the future
	Greater social interest; friendships
	Great adaptability
	Can protect others instead of just self-enforcement

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 6 to 7 years
6 – 7 years	School readiness: mastering traditional cultural heritage
	Strong need for peers
	Is less dependent on mother
	Compares home with that of other children
	Feeling of shame develops strongly, being ashamed of inadequate capabilities, fears and mistakes
	Tries to avoid conflict
	Can set goals for himself, set a task

Age Stage Child	Social Development Stages of the Child – Social Development from 7 to 8 years
7 – 8 years	Is able to listen and concentrate well
	Beginning of sense of ethics (good/bad)
	Internalizes the moral views of the family
	Sense of duty and responsibility

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Social Development – What skills should a child from 1 month to 8 years have?

Stages of Social Development – What does a child master at the age of 1 month – 8 years?

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