Positive Social Characteristics

Page 5

​The following personal characteristics associated with positive social behavior can be observed and developed in young children:

Social Competence

Social competence is the ability to interact successfully and in a cooperative manner with adults and peers.

​Learning how to get along well with others is critical to success in school. High-quality early learning programs help young children build strong social and emotional skills.

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand another person's point of view. Children who demonstrate empathy exhibit less challenging behavior. A child who exhibits empathy may be observed as young as 2 years of age comforting another child by offering toys.

Communication Skills

Children use language to describe feelings, ideas, understanding issues, asking for assistance and problem solving.

The little boy in the video understands the idea of "mine" and "hers", a 3-year social/emotional milestone. He is learning to communicate his ideas. ​

Self-Regulation

​Self-regulation includes the ability to comfort oneself and maintain a positive outlook when encountering problems.

Following Rules

Following rules is the ability to conform to society's rules.

​The children in the video are playing a game with a "no peeking" rule that they all agree on. Being more likely to agree with rules is a 5-year social/emotional milestone. 

Ability to Control Environment

Young children control their environment through self-selected play and making choices. Opportunities to make choices create a sense of control and competence that validates the children's efforts to have an effect on the world.

The little boy in this video is refusing to wash his hands, which he has been told to do.  Being defiant is a 2-year old social/emotional milestone, this is part of the process of gaining the necessary self-regulation skills required to control their own environment.  

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Factors and Influences
3. Environmental Factors
4. Developing Social Behavior
5. Positive Social Characteristics
6. Fostering Positive Social 
7. Social Behavior (1/5)
8. Communication and Interactions  

9. Talking with Children (2/5)
10. Communication Strategies
11. Teaching and Personal Beliefs
12. Personal Beliefs (3/5)
13. Teaching Styles
14. Direct and Indirect Guidance 
15. Defining Guidance Terms
16. Mistaken Behavior 

17. Mistaken Behavior (4/5)
18. Causes of Behavioral Issues
19. Prevention: Indirect Guidance
20. Direct Guidance Techniques
21. End of Course Quiz (5/5)
22. Course Evaluation Form​
Parking Lot
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