Activities to develop social skills with your baby

Children between 1 and 3 years old are very special. Even if they seem small, they are listening to everything we say, even though we do not realize it. And they understand more than we can think. They move in a very rich and varied emotional world, but they do not know how to manage yet.

That is why, from one moment to the next, they can go from being little angels to becoming true monsters; can go from a state of anguish or frustration to being the most affectionate child in the world; They can hug us with a big smile and in a moment, start crying for something we have said or because they think we have laughed at him.

It is an age full of charm, crawling and laughter. But we must not forget that at three years, our child's brain is already 80% of the size of an adult brain, and has a huge development potential that needs our attention, to reach its fullness.


The children need us to listen to them and, once we have listened to them, we understand them. A difficult task at these ages, because they can not be explained properly, and that is something that causes a lot of frustration and can cause the famous anger and tantrums of this era.

How should be the close relationship with young children

The relationship with children of this age (and of course later) is very important, among other reasons, because it is in these moments when they learn social skills. Children live in a world of great emotions, mixed with low levels of communication that do not allow them to be brought to light. For example, they are divided between their fear of us leaving, of separating from their parents, but on the other hand, they seek more independence.


Sometimes, those feelings can be too much for them, they can overwhelm them and also, they can not find the words to tell us what happens to them. Your brain has not yet found the way, but we can help you by forming around you a confident and happy world, creating a good relationship with them that will help them develop positive social skills.

At this age, we must help to control their emotions, to develop their independence and self-confidence and to enhance their abilities.

Activities to develop social skills with your baby

1. For when we have to separate ourselves from them
- Explain to your child in advance, the moments when you will not be with him. It will be very useful to know when you will not be, where and with whom he will be and when you will return, especially if everything is part of a routine that he can identify. This way you will feel more secure.
- When you leave your child with a different personFor example, in the home of a relative, let him carry something with him, such as a blanket or toy, so that a part of the environment in which he lives normally accompanies him.
- Make an album with photos of the family, with photos of pets, stuffed animals and the house itself, to see it sometimes with him and also, so that it is handy when you leave it in charge of a caregiver.
- Even if you are not, it is good that the caregiver of the child follows the same routines and the same behaviors that you usually have. It is also interesting that the caregiver talks about you and reminds your child that you will return at a certain time.
- You can make some games with him whose objective is to encourage the idea of ​​the permanence of objects, that is, to realize that the object still exists, even when it is out of sight. For example, hide a stuffed animal and look for it, make theater with toys that disappear and reappear, etc.


2. Control of emotions
- Teach your child the words he should say and the gestures you should do when you need help; for example, when you need to go to the bathroom.
- We must be clear when we want our son to do something in particular. For example: "Now is not the time to play with cars, now we are going to eat and then we play with cars, which is when we play".
- If your child gets a tantrum, we must try to be calm. Not only will it give you security, but your example will teach you what emotional control is. Anyway, try to remember and know what situations or at what times of the day, for example when you are more tired, your bad mood is triggered, because then we can handle your anger less and reduce its intensity.

3. Promote independence
- Praise him when he is brave and let him know that his parents will be there for what he needs, so that he feels safe. It encourages everything that supposes independence, being close by when you need help.
- Let your child make simple decisions, For example, choose between banana or apple, red or yellow shoes, or what book to read. It is an excellent way to help you develop self-confidence.

4. Enhance your skills
- Show your child that you are really interested in their games and that we let him choose what he wants to play. Encourage and propose games that involve imagination, put yourself in the place of another, etc. Incorporates the game into the routines of each day,
- Remove the cutlery from the drawer to put it back in its place, to then take it back and put it back, will help you develop your motor skills. Reading and rereading the same books can be a bit boring for parents, but kids love that feeling of familiarity, of being able to predict what is going to happen. Same as watching the same movie over and over again.

Beatriz Bengoechea.Psychologist and family counselor

You may also like:

- Keys to educate in social skills

- Negative emotions in children

- How to educate emotional intelligence

- Parents with emotional intelligence

- The influence of emotions on the behavior of children

Video: Improving your child's fine motor and gross motor skills


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