Beginning of Social Behaviour - Reaction to Mother

When a child responds to their mother or main caretaker, it shows a need to connect and feel loved. This is called the need for “affiliation,” which means wanting to be close and affectionate with another person.

If the mother cares for her child in a loving and dependable way, the child learns to trust and feel attached.

Warm mothering helps the child:

• Trust the mother.
• Feel safe and content.
• Develop good social skills later.

If the mother is not warm or dependable, the child may not learn to trust others.

This can affect how the child behaves with others in the future.

• They might not mix well with people.
• They may not follow social rules.

• Attachment happens when the mother looks after the baby well, and the relationship is loving.
• Babies with good mothering become more friendly and respond well to other people.
• Babies without strong mother care may not develop these social skills.

Children learn social behaviour and social skills through three main processes:

• Showing good behaviour (example: sharing, being polite)
• Following society’s rules and customs
• Building positive attitudes (example: being friendly, tolerant, and cooperative)

• Every society has its own rules and customs for good social behaviour.
• A child who accepts traditions and mixes with others is called sociable.
• Good social development includes:
• Tolerance
• Cooperation
• Kindness
• Popularity (being liked by others)

• If the baby does not get chances to meet people or mix with people who behave badly, social development is affected.
• A child may not listen to rules, may avoid other people.

• Babies should get chances to meet and play with other children, neighbors, and family.
• At school, children should join games, competitions, and team activities like Scouts or NCC.
• Social opportunities help children learn to work with others and follow rules.

• Affiliation is the child’s need to feel close, loved, and connected to the caregiver.
• Warm and consistent care helps the child feel safe, trust others, and develop good social skills.
• Lack of warmth or care can lead to mistrust, poor social behaviour, and difficulty mixing with others.
• Strong attachment leads to friendliness, cooperation, and following social rules.
• Social development happens through learning good behaviour, following rules, and building positive attitudes.
• Interaction with family, peers, and group activities helps improve social skills.