Understanding the importance of social values
The ability of children and young people to comprehend others and consider their needs and perspectives grow throughout time.
Children are inherently self-centered.
They prefer to play with other children rather than with them, and they believe that everyone perceives things the same way they do. Children learn in early elementary school that others may view items differently. Children and young people become increasingly able to grasp another person’s point of view as their cognitive abilities improve and eventually to appreciate different perspectives on the same event or issue.
Children who are taught to put themselves in other people’s shoes can better relate to others and handle conflict. It encourages compassion, justice, and respect. According to research, children and young adults who have learned to value others are more likely to include and accept others who are different from them or who are poorly considered by others.
As toddlers and teenagers get older, they experience social growth.
Children and young people need to create social ties with individuals who can model and support appropriate social values and behaviors to attain healthy social development. Children and young people require the following resources to form these bonds
social interaction opportunities
Active participation and meaningful engagement with others, such as family members, educators, and peers, to learn social skills through guidance and modeling in daily informal interactions and unexpected opportunities, as well as planned teaching, such as participation in social skills programs and recognition and reinforcement when positive social interactions occur.
Opportunities, skill development, and recognition must be tailored to the age and stage of children and young people and their unique features.
Emotions and temperament and the values and attitudes of those around them are all intertwined in children’s understandings and behaviors. Children polish social skills such as turn-taking, listening, collaboration, and respect via continual interactions with significant people in their life (such as family members and educators) to help them form meaningful connections and friendships.
Families have the biggest effect on social development before the start of school. As children and teenagers get older, peer group beliefs and the actions of community role models such as sports heroes or media figures become more influential.
Children and young people experience more trust and belonging when adults are fair, kind, and respectful.
When children and young people feel loved and respected, they are more inclined to cooperate with adults direction. When they believe they have been treated unfairly, on the other hand, they are less willing to listen and are more likely to avoid or fight correction.