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Social skills are the child's ability to communicate, cooperate, understand and express emotions, and create meaningful connections with the environment. These abilities develop gradually and change over the years, depending on the child's developmental stage. Each stage has unique characteristics, and it is important to understand what the main expectations are at each age, in order to support the child and help him develop these skills optimally.
development
Social skills
At different ages
Early childhood (0-6 years)
Initial skills and first experiences
During preschool and toddler years, children begin to learn how to operate in the social world.
At this stage, development focuses on basic abilities to connect with others.
Main features:
Playing alongside friends (and not necessarily with them) : Until the age of 3-4, children usually play "next to" others rather than "with" others. Play focuses on themselves and their inner world.
Imitation: Young children learn by watching and imitating adults and friends.
Sharing – Beginning of Understanding: Towards the age of 4-5, children begin to develop an understanding of sharing (but difficulty sharing objects is still typical at this age).
Emotional expression : At these ages, children express emotions in an open and simple way (for example: crying or joy).
What do you expect?
Beginning to understand "turn" in games.
Ability to express a basic desire ("I want to play" or "Give me").
Identifying basic emotions in others – smiling and happy or sad and crying.
Tips for parents:
Encourage cooperative play in small groups while providing guidance on conflict resolution ("Let's take turns sharing this").
Reinforce children for good deeds such as helping a friend or sharing.
Elementary school age (6-12 years)
Strengthening communication and collaboration
At this age, children expand their circle of friends and begin to understand the importance of cooperation and social norms.
Main features:
Building meaningful friendships : Children learn to create friendships based on shared values and not just physical proximity.
Group cooperation : School-aged children develop the ability to work in groups through games, studies, and competitions.
Conflict Resolution : They learn how to resolve disputes – sometimes with the help of an adult, and sometimes on their own.
Understanding social norms : Understanding the rules of group play and adapting to them, for example, following the rules of the game.
What do you expect?
Schoolchildren learn to form relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
The ability to have complex conversations, listen to others, and express emotions thoughtfully.
Taking social initiatives such as inviting friends to a joint activity.
Tips for parents:
Encourage your child to show empathy for others and ask: “How are you feeling?” or “How can I help?”
Talk to your child about the importance of cooperation, especially in group or competitive situations.
Provide them with opportunities to spend time with friends and participate in activities outside the home.
Adolescence (12-18 years)
Emotional and social complexity
During adolescence, social skills take on a deeper and more complex layer, as adolescents learn to navigate personal relationships and emotional changes.
Main features:
Deepening relationships : Teens form friendships based on shared feelings, values, and genuine concern for others.
Social changes: Adolescents deal with social pressure, attempts to fit in, and sometimes the need to set boundaries.
Understanding self-limitations and personal responsibility : They learn not only to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, but also to manage their influence on others.
Independent problem solving : At this age, they are expected to deal with social challenges on their own.
What do you expect?
Having an open and complex conversation about feelings, thoughts, and social dilemmas.
Ability to manage complex social situations , including withstanding social pressure.
Flexibility in understanding different social situations and adapting behavior.
Tips for parents:
Support open emotional connection – be there to listen and provide advice when they face social dilemmas.
Help adolescents set healthy boundaries and identify good friendships versus negative influences.
Talk about social pressures and how to resist social pressure or external pressures.
Social skills grow and deepen over the years.
The development of social skills is a dynamic process that begins at a young age and continues throughout childhood and adolescence. Each stage has different expectations, and skills are built gradually – from play and cooperation in early childhood to managing complex relationships in adolescence.
As parents and educators, it is important to guide children through this process, give them tools to deal with the social world around them, and encourage them to grow into sensitive, empathetic adults with good interpersonal skills.