Beginning of Social Behaviour

Social behaviour in children starts very early in life. It begins when a baby can tell the difference between people and objects and slowly grows from ignoring other children to showing interest, fighting for toys, and then becoming friendly and cooperative. This usually happens around the third month of life. The baby’s first social contact is with an adult, usually the mother or main caregiver. The baby looks at the adult, smiles, and shows interest in the adult’s face and actions.

Behaviour at 6–8 months

• Infants of 6 to 8 months usually ignore each other when they are playing together.
• They treat the other child almost like a toy or object.
• Still, some social responses are seen, such as:
• Looking at the other child
• Smiling
• Trying to grasp the other child
• Holding the mother’s earring, hair, or dress and looking with keen interest.

Behaviour by the end of 1 year

• As the child grows older, behaviour changes.
• By the end of the first year (around 12 months), children may start fighting with each other for toys and other belongings.
• This shows they are becoming more aware of the other child as a person who also wants the same things.

6. Behaviour between 19 and 25 months

• Between 19 and 25 months, children show even more social behaviour towards each other.
• They give more individual attention to other children.
• Common behaviours in this age are:
• Looking at each other
• Smiling at each other
• Pulling hair
• Pulling jewellery
• Other small playful contacts

• Many studies have observed babies of different ages while they play.
• These studies show that from about 6 months to 25 months, children’s behaviour with other children slowly changes.
• It moves from almost no interest in other children to clear social interest in playmates.

• As social behaviour grows, the child slowly learns to pay attention to other children.
• Over time, the child learns to be more cooperative and friendly.
• These early interactions form the base for later social relationships and friendships.

• 6–8 months (ignoring playmates)
  Two 7‑month-old babies sit on a mat. Each baby plays with their own rattle. They hardly look at each other and treat the other baby just like another object in the room.

• End of 1 year (fighting for toys)
  Two 1‑year-old children see the same colourful toy car. Both want it and start pulling it from opposite sides. They may cry or shout as they try to keep the toy for themselves.

• 19–25 months (more social contact)
  Two 2‑year-olds are playing near each other. One child looks at the other, smiles, and gently pulls the other’s hair or touches their jewellery. They laugh and show clear interest in each other, not just in the toys.

• Social behaviour starts when the baby can distinguish persons from objects.
• The first social contact of the infant is with an adult, usually the caregiver.
• At 6–8 months, infants mostly ignore each other and treat the playmate like a toy, though they may look, smile, or grasp.
• By the end of one year, children may fight with each other for toys and belongings.
• Between 19 and 25 months, children give more attention to each other and show more social contact, such as looking, smiling, and pulling hair or jewellery.
• With growth in social behaviour, the child gradually learns to be cooperative and friendly.