An 18-month-old child is actively developing social skills, including interacting with familiar adults, expressing emotions, and engaging in simple shared play. Based on the provided reference "Interacting - Social and Emotional Development", key social abilities at this age include trying new things with familiar adults present, handing objects to others during play, showing a range of feelings, and using pointing to communicate.
Key Social Abilities at 18 Months
The reference highlights several specific social skills typically observed in an 18-month-old. These skills demonstrate the child's growing awareness of others and their place in social interactions.
Here's a breakdown of the social skills mentioned:
- Exploring with Support: The child tries new things with familiar adults nearby. This shows they use the presence of trusted individuals as a secure base for exploration.
- Shared Play Actions: They hand things to others as part of play. This is a simple form of interaction and sharing during play activities.
- Emotional Expression: The child shows feelings, which can manifest in various ways, such as:
- Temper tantrums
- Fear of strangers
- Affection with familiar people
- Clinging to a familiar adult in new situations
- Non-Verbal Communication: They point to show things to others. This is a significant step in using gestures to share attention and communicate interest in objects or events.
These points illustrate the emerging social landscape for an 18-month-old, characterized by reliance on trusted relationships, basic interactive play, clear emotional displays, and the development of simple communicative gestures.
Summary of 18-Month Social Skills
| Skill Category | Specific Behavior (from reference) |
|---|---|
| Attachment/Security | Tries new things with familiar adults nearby. Clinging to familiar adult in new situations. |
| Interaction/Play | Hands things to others as part of play. |
| Emotional Regulation | Shows feelings (e.g., temper tantrums, fear of strangers, affection). |
| Communication | Points to show things to others. |
These foundational skills are crucial building blocks for more complex social interactions as the child continues to grow and develop.
