SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN

Social Development of Children



Social development

Social development is the ability to make friends and get along with others, teamwork and being a good leader. All these skills are based on self-esteem, confidence and cooperation with others.

Social Development of Children Aged 4 Years

Following are the expected stages of social development of children aged 4:

Electra complex.

Oedipus complex.

Children discover that there is an external reality independent of them.

Sense of self.

Make small orders.

Is unstable and emotional outbursts (tantrums)

Children can be violent with an object or toy if it is being occupied by another person.

They normally develop prolonged anxiety and jealousy.

The arrival of a sibling may cause violent anxiety and insecurity.

After 4 years the child begins to gain autonomy and self-confidence. Children like to play make professions like doctor, teacher, etc. Children of this age group participate in group games and work as a member and begin to understand that they must accept and take turns while playing.

Social Development of Children Aged 5 Years

It is said that early childhood is characterized by the stage of initiative versus guilt. Now the children aged 5 years are convinced that they are one person in themselves. At this stage, the children go to a wider social world on their own initiative. The great leader of the initiative is consciousness. In this stage, the children not only feel fear of being caught, but also begin to hear the inner voice of self-observation, guidance and punishment.

Children also recognize the authority of their parents which is a significant social development. Although, the children look for excuses, in order to get what they want. Children of this stage continue to test the limits of their parents. Use of swear words to make people react is the social development which also take place in this stage. If children of 5 years old left in charge of a younger child, then they may eventually appear in care or protection of that child.

Methods of observing and recording social development of children

It is necessary to observe the social development of children of all ages in order to determine their basic needs. It also helps in determining the areas where children particularly needs social development. In this way, effective activities can be planned for them which will directly help them in better social development. There are several methods of observing and recording the social development of children. Some of them are:

Event sampling

Time sampling

Target child

Diaries

Flow charts

Interval recording

Participative

Non participative

Duration recording

Written

Checklists and tick charts

In order to record and observe the social development of children aged 5 years, event sampling would be the most appropriate method.

This method of observation is particularly helpful for observing the social development of children aged 5 years. In this method, the observer observes the different child behaviors, especially those which the child's parents are keen to change. It includes thumb sucking, resorting to tantrums and so on. (Moerk, 1996, pp. 181-229)

Advantage of Event Sampling

The main advantage of using event sampling method ...