Your guide to enlightened PARENTING

Social development: 2-3 years

Development 2-3 years

Frequent parents' questions

Issue
Answer

Is it normal for my 2 year old child to play next to other children but not with them?

Yes, that's normal. At this age, children often practice parallel game, playing next to other children without direct interaction. This is a natural step in social development.

My 3 year old child has trouble sharing his toys. How can I encourage it to share?

Sharing is a social competence that develops over time. Encourage sharing by practicing it yourself, praising sharing behavior, and organizing games that require sharing.

Should I worry if my child prefers to play alone?

No, some children prefer solo activities and that's normal.

Offer social game opportunities, but also respect your need

independence.

social development at2-3 years

(Socialization and interaction)

The age of 2 to 3 years is a key period for the social development of children. They are starting to train friendships, understanding and following simple rules, and expressing a wider range of emotions. This stage also marks the emergence of empathy, independence, and

First skills in conflict resolution.

Dear parents, supporting your child through these formative years is essential. Your support, your patience and your ability to model positive social interactions are fundamental to helping your child sail in the evolving social world.

Frequent parents' questions

How can I help my child develop empathy?

Show empathy in your own actions. For example, express understanding and comfort towards others in front of your child.

Talk about emotions using books or stories, asking your child how he thinks the characters feel.

What if my child knocks or bites other children?

It is important to immediately approach behavior. Calmly explain that hitting or biting hurts others and offering appropriate ways to express your frustration.

Encourage the activities that help your child express their emotions in a positive way, such as drawing or sport.

My child is struggling to follow the rules during games. How can I help him?

Practice games with simple rules at home. Start with

Very basic games and positively strengthen compliance with the rules.

Explain the rules clearly before playing and remind them during

The game if necessary. Understand that learning to follow the rules

is a process.

It's Normal If Your Baby...

Has anger attacks.Anger attacks are common at this age, because children still learn to manage their emotions.

Is shy or hesitant with new people.Shyness towards strangers is typical behavior at this age.

Shows possessiveness with its toys.At this age, children find it difficult to share and consider their toys as an extension of themselves.

Play by other children rather than with them.The parallel game is a normal step in social development before moving on to more interactive games.

Imitates adults or other children.Imitation is a way for children to learn and understand social behavior.

Is sometimes aggressive towards other children.Behaviors like pushing or hitting can occur when they learn to interact socially.

Is reluctant to try new activities.Caution for new experiences is common at this age.

At moments of intense attachment and moments of independence.These fluctuations reflect their development towards greater autonomy.

Has difficulty following the rules of the games.Understanding and remembering the rules can be difficult for children of this age.

Often asks for help for tasks that he can perform alone.Seeking adult assistance is part of their social behavior and learning.

What happens at this age?

Development of empathy: Start to recognize and react to the emotions of others. Examples: console a friend who

Cry, share a toy with a comrade.

Parallel and cooperative game: Play next to other children and start interacting in the game. Examples: Build a tower together with blocks, play simple group games.

Expression of emotions: Express a wider range of emotions in a clearer way. Examples: show

Frustration when they cannot do something, express joy when they succeed.

Understanding of simple social rules: Understand and follow basic rules during games or activities. Examples:

Wait for your turn on a swing, follow the instructions during a game.

Start of conflict resolution: Start solving small conflicts with peers, often with the help of an adult. Examples: find a compromise on which toy to play, learn to apologize.

Imitation of social behavior: Imitate the actions and behaviors of adults or other children. Examples: Make

Seeming to speak on the phone, imitate parents' gestures.

Self -assertion and independence: Express their own desires and opinions. Examples: choose their clothes, express a preference for certain foods or games.

Recognition and interaction with friends: Identify and prefer to play with some children. Examples: Ask to play with a specific friend, show enthusiasm to find comrades.

Parents' emotions sensitivity: React to parents' emotions and moods. Examples: try to comfort a sad parent, be happy when the parents are happy.

Your contribution as a parent

As a parent, playing an active role in your child's social development is essential. Encourage interactions with other children, model positive social behavior, and guide your child through various social experiences. Offer a loving environment, support emotional expression, and teach basic social skills such as sharing and waiting for the Tour, will greatly contribute to its healthy social development. Your patience, understanding and availability to discuss and navigate in social situations together will strengthen your child's confidence in his social skills.

What to do

at this age (2-3 years)

Encourage interactions with other children: Organize playdates or take your child to places where he can interact with children his age. Example: visits to the game plain or participation in game groups.

Modeling positive social behavior: Show your child how to interact respectfully and kind. Example: say hello to neighbors, share objects with others.

Read stories about friendship and sharing :

Choose books that deal with social themes and chat with your child lessons learned. Example: Read a book on sharing

And talk about its importance.

Encourage the expression of emotions: Help your child to name and understand their emotions. Example: "I see that you are sad because we have to go home".

Playing: Encourage role play to develop empathy and social understanding. Example: pretend to shop or prepare a meal.

Teach and practice sharing: Use games and activities to teach the importance of sharing. Example: Turn to play with a popular toy.

Recognize and enhance positive social behavior:When your child interacts well with others, praise him. Example: "I liked how you shared your pencils with your friend".

Provide opportunities for group activities: Register your child to activities where he can interact and play with others. Example: music or sport lessons for toddlers.

Encourage autonomy in a secure environment: Allow your child to make simple choices and solve minor problems by himself. Example: choose your clothes for the day.

What not to do

at this age (2-3 years)

Do not force social interactions: Do not push your child to interact if he feels uncomfortable or resistant. Example: do not force to give a hug or to play with other children if he does not wish.

Avoid criticizing social behavior: Do not severely scold or criticize social errors. Example: Do not reprimand hard for not having shared.

Do not compare with other children: Avoid comparing your child's social behavior to that of other children. Example: "Why can't you be nice like your friend?"

Avoid intervening too quickly in conflicts: Give your child a chance to solve small disagreements for himself. Example: do not immediately intervene if two children compete for a toy.

Do not ignore the child's emotions: Take seriously and validate your child's feelings. Example: Not to say "Stop crying, it does not matter" when it is upset.

Do not use inappropriate disciplinary techniques:Avoid severe punishment that is not linked to social behavior. Example: Do not send the child to his room for an awkward social interaction.

Avoid overcrowding of activities: Do not fill in your child's schedule with too many social activities. Example: do not have playdates every day.

Do not neglect the need for independence: Allow your child to play alone and explore. Example: do not intervene constantly when he plays alone.

Avoid not recognizing efforts: Value your child's attempts to behave appropriately, even if they are not perfect. Example: Encourage sharing efforts, even if they are not always successful.

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When to worry?

Extreme social removal: If your child constantly avoids any interaction with other children and adults.

Lack of symbolic game: Total lack of interest in role -playing or imitation games, like pretending to feed a doll.

No response to others: Do not react or answer when other children or adults engage him in an interaction.

Frequent aggressive behavior: Constant aggressiveness towards other children, as biting, hitting, without signs of improvement.

Lack of non -verbal communication: Do not use gestures to communicate, such as pointing or making signs of the hand.

Indifference to the emotions of others: Shows no reaction to the distress or happiness of others.

Regression in social skills: Loss of social skills already acquired, like no longer saluting people or no longer participating in simple games.

If you notice several of these signs, it could be wise to consult a professional. Although each child develops at their own pace, an assessment can help identify any need for additional support.

advice

Encourage participation in suitable group activities:Register your child to activities such as music lessons or group game sessions. Example: a group game class in a community center.

Be a social behavior model: Show your child how to interact appropriately with others. Example: share, wait for your turn, and show empathy in your daily interactions.

Promote game opportunities with other children: Organize playdates or meetings in parks to allow your child to practice social skills. Example: a weekly meeting at the park with friends.

Practice and teach sharing and cooperation: Use daily games and activities to teach these

SKILLS. Example: Share snacks or toys during a playdate.

Create a loving and reassuring family environment: A stable environment at home helps children feel safe to explore social interactions. Example: coherent routines and constant emotional support.

Use books and stories to talk about social relationships:Books can be a great way to explore social concepts. Example: Read a story about friendship and discuss its meaning.

Celebrate small social victories: Praise when your child shows positive social behavior. Example: "I noticed that you shared your toys today, it's

great !"

Encourage emotional expression: Help your child understand and express their emotions in a healthy way. Example: name emotions and talk about appropriate ways to express them.

Show empathy to your child's feelings:Validate your emotions, even if they are difficult. Example: "I see that you are upset because we have to go home. It's normal to feel like this."

Be patient and understanding: Understand that social development is a process and that each child progresses at their own pace. Example: do not expect changes

instantaneous or compare your child to others.

The role of a parent in the social development of his child is invaluable. By providing love, support, and interaction opportunities, you help your child build solid foundations for healthy and fulfilling social relationships.

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