Social development is the process a child goes through to learn how to create relationships at home and in the community. Social development begins in infancy as babies learn how their caretakers respond to their needs and expectations. In early childhood, a toddler learns how to share and the social norms of interacting with other children. Later, in preschool, children learn to play cooperatively and manage conflict.

These early social interactions create a template that will later help a high school student manage peer pressure and develop a healthy sense of themselves. Healthy social development will have a lifelong impact, providing the skills to navigate the challenges of complex adult relationships with confidence.

Red flags for social issues include:

• The child has difficulty making new friends.
• Child is bullied or excluded by other children
• Excessive conflict with friends and family.
• The child is often too shy to engage with others.
• The child is not invited to birthday parties or play-dates.
• The child refuses to play with other children, even when invited.

What can I do?

Social development begins in the child’s first years of life and is a lifelong process. If your child is not socialized or is having difficulty socially engaging, it is important to understand the root cause of the problem. There may be a number of reasons including: anxiety, depression, ADHD, or temperament. Whatever the root causes, there are excellent treatments available. Early intervention will allow your child to develop socially throughout the lifespan.  MindWell provides evidence-based treatments that will help your child learn to enjoy joyful friendships.

Contact us today to find out more about how MindWell can help with your child’s social development issues and schedule a consultation.