The Importance Of Social Competency

Social competence can be defined as how one forms and maintains relationships with others (Underwood, Rosen, 2013). Other definitions include an individual’s ability to get along with other people, and knowing what is expected and acceptable for social interactions (Illinois Early Learning Project, 2015). Progress in the characteristics of social development in the preschool years leads to social competence (Frost, Wortham & Reifel, 2010). People who possess the social, emotional, and intellectual skills and behaviours needed to succeed as a member of society are said to be socially competent. Below the behaviours and skills of socially competent people will be further examined. As well as examples of children who have displayed social interactions

These skills include, respecting and expressing appreciation for others, working and communicating well with others, listening to others’ ideas, demonstrating behaviour that is accepted by society, and ability to resolve conflict using appropriate skills (Urban Institute, n.d). Typically, a child goes through components of learning social competence. First, the ability to play successfully, which creates feelings of being accepted by others, which leads to friendships and caring about others. These peer relationships allow children to consider the perspectives of others rather than just their own. When a child goes through theses stages, a child is generally open to other assistance with social skills and can behave in a fairly socially acceptable manner. Parents and teachers help children become socially competent by encouraging friendships ((Frost, Wortham & Reifel, 2010). Peer relationships are important in children been they encourage opportunities for developing interpersonal understandings needed for socialized

When reviewing emotional competence, the child’s emotional development relies in their relationship with their parents or caregiver. Based on the care and nurturing they receive through positive interactions with adults, children will learn to: express their feelings with words, understand emotions of themselves and others and, understand how to control negative emotions in situations. (Lewis, 2011). Emotional competence can be influenced by child factors including cognitive development, temperament, and approach/withdrawal emotions. A child’s emotions can affect the way they interact in social experiences. With some children having expressing their negative emotions around other children it can affect them when participating in social interactions. Adults may intervene and help a child develop a social skill or strategy in order to be successful when interacting with