How a Baby's Social Skills Develop

Those First Months

Infants begin developing social skills by studying the faces around them. Most babies are fascinated by faces, attracted most to those of people who smile at them. Babies prefer to look at happy faces, and at people who make direct eye contact with them. This is an infant's first step toward reading and interpreting facial expressions. Your baby learns to smile by watching you smile. When you smile back, you're encouraging her to interact with you. You can help your baby develop socially by giving her plenty of love and affection. Those cooing and babbling sounds she makes are another aspect of her early socialization. Talk to your baby often. Keep in mind she is learning from everything she sees and hears.

Even though babies are too young to play with other children, they like to watch them play.

Playing with your baby provides her with opportunities to interact. Once she's old enough to begin playing with other children, your baby starts to learn social skills as she feels increasingly comfortable in her environment. Joining a play group is one way to provide your child with the opportunity to relate to other babies her own age.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/31244-babys-social-skills-develop/

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