Social Development

Social Development- learning how to interact socially with other individuals in the family and society in general. It enables people to develop relationships.

Children learn and practice basic social skills through play. 

 They develop a sense of self interaction with other children, how to make friends and how to role play. 

Solo Play (0-2 years)- In infancy this type of play is common due to limited social, cognitive and physical skills. Children play on their own and can explore their environment at their own pace. This helps with attention, self-reliance, trial and error and increasing self-esteem. 

Parallel Play (2-3 years)- Children move on from solo play to playing alongside other children. They have not learnt sharing skils yet, so they need their own independent activity whilst being near another child. They will show an interest in what other children are doing. 

Co-operative Play (3-8 years)- Children widen their social network and form relationships. Emotional development increases at this age range and children learn and recognise others emotions which helps them to play co-operatively with others. 

Birth-1 year (solo play)- Looks at adults closely, puts things into mouth and touches things with hands. Plays alone with toys. Gradually begins to play simple games, e.g. peek-a-boo and begins to explore toys alone. 

12-18 months (solo play)- Begins to play and talk alone, repeats actions and starts to play with adults, notices other children. 

18 months- 2 years (parallel play)- Begins to enjoy repetitive actions, such as putting objects into boxes and taking them back out. Begins to copy other children and adults. Enjoys playing with adults as well as on their own. Learns to complete tasks through trial and error. 

3-4 years ( Associative play)- Begins to play co-operatively with other children and starts to show reasoning skills by asking questions, such as 'why?' and 'how?'. They will join in pretend and fantasy games, negotiating and taking on roles. 

4-6 years (Co-operative play)- Begins to use simple rules in games. Plays co-operatively towards a shared goal and takes turns when playing tabletop games with other children. 

6-8 years (Co-operative play)- Begins to enjoy playing in small groups, making up own games and rules. Enjoys understanding and using rules, but does not usually cope well with losing. 

During adolescence a person's sense of self-worth may be more influenced by their peers than by their family. Adolescents copy the styles of dress, beliefs, cultural values and behaviours of their own network of freinds. Historically, adolescence was seen as a time of 'storm and stress'. Adolescents have to cope with the development of their own sexuality (the impact of sex hormones at puberty) and the social transition to full independence from the family. Recent research suggests that many adolescents experience a smooth transition to adult roles without serious conflict with parents.

During early adulthood, friendship networks continue to be very important. For most people, early adulthood is dominated by forming intimate partnerships and by the need to find employment/establish a career. For many people, marriage and parenthood represent major social developments in their life. In middle adulthood individuals experience time pressures that may limit their social activity. Mature adults may have to split their time between work, caring for parents, other family commitments and wider social activities. Some mature adults report a reduction in the amount of social activity due to these pressures.

Following retirement, older adults have much more free time to develop friendships through taking up new hobbies, pastimes and travel. Others may choose to increase their involvement with close friends and family rather than extend their network of social contacts. 

Independence- lack of reliance on others, making your own choices and hvaing your own responsibilities. 

You could lose your independence if;

• You have an accident 
• Through old age
• Imprisonment
• Controlling relationship
• Illness
• Financial Issues 

Impacts of not having independence

• Frustration 
• Depression
• Embarrassment 
• Lack of dignity 

Dressing themselves

Brushing their teeth

Nursery- Socialisation

School

Knowing what they do and don't like

Hobbies

Friends 

Can organise their own time 

Friends influence opinions but these may be different to other friends and familiy

17 years- driving 

16-18 years

Managing budget and savings

Adapt from school to work

Mix with older people and learn from their experiences

Small income- afford to travel without parents & reinforces socialisation

Sacrifices- lower standard of living

Housework

Paying bills

Juggle running a house, working, learning etc

Distant from relatives- little help 

Own family- separate from parents 

Kids rely on you

Having to put your children before yourself

Less time for yourself

Lose financial independence- give up work and rely on partner

Most adults at this age will have a full-time career so will be earning a fixed income, this means that they have financial freedom as they have to be able to distribute money for specific bills and they have to learn how to make financial sacrifices for their children. 

Having an income allows them to choose what they spend their money on

Individuals are more likely to reach the peak of their career and they may have more disposable income which gives them more independence, choice and freedom.

Adults know their abilities 

If they are in a care home and have support around them then they can still be independent. 

Many people remian active in their 80s and 90s

Have time to develop IT skills, so they can use social media to explore new interests, relationships and it can help them to keep in touch with close/distant relatives. 

Their are aids available e.g. mobility and sensory to help people remain their independence. 

Realistic manners

Pragmatic approach 

Expert knowledge from experience 

Abstract thinking 

Independent