How to Promote Social Skills in a 2-Year-Old

Understand typical 2-year-old behavior so you have reasonable expectations for your child. A 2-year-old usually lacks strong social skills, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org website. Your youngster probably shows some selfishness and difficulty sharing. Children this age also lack empathy skills, not understanding how others may feel and think. Most 2-year-olds also struggle with self-control, so it̵7;s important to supervise interaction carefully to prevent problems.

Interact with your child in a responsive, loving and consistent way to provide a foundation for building social skills. Although your 2-year-old probably struggles at times when interacting with peers, you can have a strong impact on his social development, suggest associate professors Jacquelyn Mize and Ellen Abell with the Auburn University. As your child experiences your loving care and positive guidance, he should develop a positive view of the world and the relationships he may develop with others.

Practice social skills by giving your youngster ample opportunities for play. Playing with others helps a young child learn skills for getting along with others and resolving conflicts. Initially, a 2-year-old will play alongside peers -- known as ̶0;parallel play.̶1; With ongoing play opportunities, eventually a youngster will learn how to play with peers, states the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Bright Start website. These play opportunities will help your child develop sensitivity toward others and self-control to regulate feelings and actions.

Engage your child in a variety of different activities to provide her with opportunities for interaction. Preschool enrollment can offer rich opportunities for interaction with peers and teachers. Daycare can also be an effective way for a child to experience opportunities of playing with and interacting with peers and other caregivers. In the home environment, you might participate in playgroups, library reading programs or instructional classes such as tumbling or dance. Often, time spent in the community, such as playing at the park or playground, will provide a youngster with opportunities to play with peers.

Watch for opportunities to provide your youngster with positive feedback and praise, suggests the Millard Public Schools website. For example, if you see your child share willingly with another child or hold hands with a peer in a friendly manner, call attention to these positive interactions. You might say, ̶0;I saw great sharing with that other boy. That really made him happy!̶1; If you notice mistakes, correct your child swiftly by explaining the mistake and redirecting her. You might say, ̶0;I think Joshua is playing with the truck now. Let̵7;s find you something else to do while you wait.̶1;