Social and Independent
Parent observes social preferences, conflict resolution, role-play leadership, and self-care independence: preferring peers, negotiating conflicts, assigning roles in make-believe, and putting on shoes without ties. Covers four social-emotional and independence milestones at 46-56mo.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Reflect on the past week. A pair of shoes nearby.
How it works
- 1~90s
Think about your child's play preferences. When your child has a choice between playing alone or with another child — which does they prefer? Does your child seek out other children at playgrounds or family gatherings? And when your child is playing make-believe with another child or you, does they assign roles — 'You be the patient, I'll be the doctor' — or does they just follow? Tell me.
Watch for: Child prefers playing with other children rather than alone
- 2~60s
Two more tests. First: think of the last time your child had a conflict with another child — over a toy, whose turn it was, what game to play. What did your child do? Did they negotiate — propose a solution, offer a trade, suggest taking turns? Or did they grab, cry, or escalate? Note a recent example. Second: put a pair of slip-on or velcro shoes in front of your child without helping. Can they put them on independently? Watch but don't help. Tell me both.
Watch for: Child negotiates solutions to conflicts with other children
What this develops
- MilestonePrefers playing with other children than by {himself/herself}social emotionalprimary
- MilestoneNegotiates solutions to conflicts with other children (for example, taking turns to play with a toy)social emotionalprimary
- MilestoneAssigns roles while playing make-believe with othersThinkingprimary
- MilestoneCan put on shoes without tiessocial emotionalprimary