ABSTRACT
As young children learn to make relationships, they need practitioners' help to navigate the complexities and subtleties of their social worlds. As children develop and begin to interact within social groups, they learn to play co-operatively, taking turns with others. They also come to take account of one another's ideas about how to organise their activity. They learn how to show sensitivity to others' needs and feelings, and to form positive relationships with adults and other children. Another vital developmental area that affects children's social behaviour and understanding is the stage that their communication skills have reached. Lacking the language to express your feelings and needs creates great frustration, which in turn affects how young children behave towards others. All children are capable of being 'bright sparks' in their own individual ways. Sometimes we find ourselves working with children whose personal and social skills – indeed their whole development – seems very advanced for their years.
