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The role of social interaction and child development
A young boy and his teacher interact using a garden gnome picture

Language, attention and memory do not simply develop in the brain. They are acquired through interaction with others.


All learning takes place in a dynamic, social environment.

The role of social interaction and child development
A young boy and his teacher interact using a garden gnome picture

The learning between the adult and the child is two way - the child learns from the adult and the adult also learns from the child.

 

It used to be thought that the adult controlled this interactional process. We now know that, even with very young infants, that this is a much more two way process.

 

Infants are not passive in their interactions - they often initiate and maintain the interactive games that they have with adults. These games are characterised by mutual enjoyment.

Interacting with a child with complex disabilities
A young boy and his teacher interact using a garden gnome picture

For children with complex needs, there are a variety of reasons why such interactions may be different:

  • There may be fewer initiating behaviours from the child.
  • The adult may have difficulty reading the child's signals.
  • The child's responses may be delayed or ambiguous.
  • The child may not be enjoying the game enough to continue.