The social behaviour of children can be grouped by age and cognitive understanding.
Two-Year-Olds
The typical social behaviours of a two-year-old include:
- engaging in imaginary play,
- observing adults and older children and imitating their behaviour i.e. copies the way adults walk and holds their coffee mug.
Three-Year-Olds
Typical social behaviours of a three-year-old child become more complex. They like to engage in imaginary play especially with dolls, animals, and people. A three-year-old becomes more inclusive and is comfortable hugging familiar playmates. They are able to take turns and know the difference between mine and his/ hers. Signs of empathy become present i.e. a 3-year-old will hug a friend that fell down to make them feel better. They also begin to have more self-control. So participating in small-group activities i.e. during outdoor play, are more enjoyable. A three-year-old child is beginning to express feelings such as fear, anger, and affection.
Four-Year-Olds
Into their fourth year, the typically noticeable social behaviours of a child are.They are able to begin playing imaginary games with friends such as “House”. They become more creative in fantasy play. Their language becomes more complex and they begin to use their words to resolve conflicts. Also, their self-help skills such as dressing and eating by themselves becomes more confident.
Five-Year-Olds
A typical 5-year-old child will be more comfortable with a little more independence around friends and other peers their own age. This age is about testing boundaries and doing things on their own. They generally want to be liked by their friends but they may be mean to others. By the age of 5 children are more able to distinguish fantasy from reality.
The preschool years (ages 3-5) children are learning to be self-sufficient, use more complex language, and express more complex emotion.