Nursery World - You and I

Babies are born to be sociable, and with the right encouragement they will soon learn a variety of social skills, writes Jennie Lindon If all goes well, our babies are born with a social sense. They have much to learn about the world into which they have been born. But babies use that steady stare, followed soon by touch and cooing, to make contact with the important people in their life, initially within the family. When under-threes attend a childcare setting, then their social life will also grow with you.

If all goes well, our babies are born with a social sense. They have much to learn about the world into which they have been born. But babies use that steady stare, followed soon by touch and cooing, to make contact with the important people in their life, initially within the family. When under-threes attend a childcare setting, then their social life will also grow with you.

0-12 months

The social skills of babies start developing because their brains are primed to respond to human faces and voices. They soon learn to use their full repertoire of smiles and babbling early conversations. Older babies can be socially skilled in copying games, simple turn-taking and the delights of 'peep-bo!' Soon they will initiate familiar games, like dropping something and invite you to engage with them with a call and a pointed finger. You do not have to 'stimulate' babies towards this behaviour; just be responsive to their approaches and generous with your attention and affection.

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