It is essential for mothers to understand the importance of social skills in babies, which include the ability to express emotions, communicate with their surroundings, show empathy, and respond appropriately to different situations. Helping your child develop these skills early on lays the foundation for lifelong social interaction.
Dr. Nora Salem, a pediatric nutrition and sleep specialist, highlights five key social skills that your baby should develop in the second half of their first year.
1. Smiling, Laughing, and Interacting with Others
During the first year, babies start building the basics of social and emotional skills. They form attachments with caregivers, expressed through:
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Smiling
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Eye contact
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Emotional responses (happiness, sadness, frustration)
Encourage interaction by:
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Talking to your baby
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Laughing and responding to their smiles
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Using facial expressions and gestures while reading stories
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Observing and responding to your baby’s reactions
These interactions help your baby understand social cues and strengthen the parent-child bond.
2. Responding to “No”
By around six months, your baby should start responding to simple commands, especially the word “no.” This shows that your child is beginning to coordinate brain and behavior, recognizing acceptable and unacceptable actions.
Tips for teaching this skill:
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Use firm body language when saying “no”
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Reinforce positive behavior with smiles or praise
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Maintain consistency so your baby learns boundaries and social expectations
3. Responding to Their Name
Between 6 to 9 months, babies typically start responding consistently to their own name. Signs include:
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Turning their head or body toward you
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Focusing on your face
Responding to their name indicates recognition of their identity and begins developing attention and social awareness, which are crucial for communication and interaction later in life.
4. Recognizing Themselves and Smiling in the Mirror
By the second half of the first year, babies start recognizing themselves in the mirror and may smile at their reflection. To encourage this skill:
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Place your baby in front of a safe mirror for at least 30 minutes a day
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Keep a safe distance to prevent accidents
This practice helps:
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Develop self-awareness
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Enhance visual recognition
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Strengthen sustained eye contact and interaction with others
5. Identifying and Reaching for Objects from a Distance
Another important social skill is the ability to recognize and indicate objects. For example:
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Reaching for a familiar toy or item
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Crying or signaling when their needs are ignored
Encourage this skill by:
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Placing small toys at a short distance for them to reach
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Keeping essential items like food or hygiene tools within sight and reach
This skill promotes independence, understanding of surroundings, and social interaction.
Conclusion:
By focusing on these five social skills—smiling and interacting, responding to “no,” recognizing their name, self-awareness in the mirror, and reaching for objects—mothers can help their babies build a solid foundation for emotional intelligence and social development during the crucial first year of life.
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