Zero to Hero: Shyness and Sociability in Children

Helena's Social Challenges (05:11)
Born premature and isolated for the first three years of her life, Helena begins preschool in order to develop social skills and make friends.

Ability to Mask Personal Feelings (01:48)
At three years of age children begin developing their social skills. Some children develop social skills earlier than others; this is attributed to home environment.

James' Social Challenges (05:24)
With an unstable home life and a mother lacking in parenting skills, three-year-old James only knows how to use force to assert himself with his peers.

Experiment: How Well Children Initiate Friendships (03:17)
Like adults, children must develop the ability to initiate contact and then cooperate with others in order to thrive socially. The experiences children have at home influence the way they relate to the world.

Genetics and Shyness (05:49)
Partly determined by genes, shyness affects a person's ability to interact with others. A third of all people are naturally shy and many stay that way without a concerted effort to overcome this tendency.

Experiment: Self-Restraint (01:22)
An experiment tests the ability of children to wait for a reward as opposed to instant gratification. Children who demonstrate self-restraint have a stronger capacity for making friends.

Sibling Relationships Aid Social Skill Development (05:28)
The more contact children have with other people, the better they understand how to get along with others. Sibling relationships teach children how to understand and predict the behaviors of other people.

Benefits of Dietary Supplements (03:22)
Omega 3 fatty acids aid the chemical messages in the brain. Fish oil supplements may help children with behavioral problems who have difficulties with learning and concentration.

Impact of Premature Birth on Social Development (05:43)
Research shows that at the age of seven, some children born prematurely are seen as withdrawn and sad by their classmates. Of two children who were born prematurely, one shows strong social skills while another prefers solitude.

Advantages of Being Sociable (02:03)
The number of people a person chooses to associate with varies with each individual. Humans, like other animals, tend to be more sociable when it is beneficial.

Sense of Humor (04:19)
A sense of humor helps people make friends by making others laugh and feel good. People with a good sense of humor have more friends. Laughter reduces stress levels and boosts the immune system.

Television and Child Behavior (03:50)
A study shows that children mimic aggressive films much more closely than non-violent films, demonstrating the importance of monitoring television viewing in children.

Improving Basic Social Skills (03:50)
Two boys show improved concentration and behavior after several months of taking fish oil supplements and stabilization in their individual home lives.

Advanced Social Skills (04:35)
Lying constitutes an important social skill. Children typically realize when to lie but at the age of three have yet to fully master this skill.