This chapter on social development in infancy and childhood introduces social relationships in the context of the infant’s attachment to a caregiver. It begins with the first most important social relationship—between an infant and a parent—and explores the ways in which this relationship is affected by separation that comes when parents work full-time. The authors discuss how a child’s social world is expanded through peer relationships, and describes the development of gender-role identity and its expression in sex-typed behavior. The authors also explore children’s awareness of gender roles and the ways in which society expects boys to be boys and girls to be girls. The major theme throughout this chapter is the ever-expanding social world of the child. The authors emphasize both individual differences in infants and children and the role parenting plays in developing competent social skills.

Task List

Read the required pages in your textbook (ebook).
Post and Respond to the Discussion Topic.
Complete the Quiz.