Free Social Skills Checklist By ThinkPsych

“Kids grow up so fast!” We get it: sometimes it feels like your child is growing up at the speed of light! Between physical, cognitive, language and social milestones, there’s a lot to keep track of! To help you out, our experts at ThinkPsych have created this free social skills checklist, so you get a strong sense of appropriate milestones for your child. In turn, you can support your kid in developing the social skills they haven’t yet mastered. How to Use Our Social Skills Checklist Keep in mind that this checklist includes social skills that most kids have gained by this age. That doesn’t necessarily mean that your child will follow the same trajectory. Every kid is unique. Your child may be “ahead of schedule” with some skills or a “late-bloomer” with others. Our social skills checklist is meant to give you a ballpark idea of what to expect and work on with your child. Of course, if you’re concerned your kid doesn’t yet have one or more social skills in their age group, bring it up with your pediatrician. Your doctor will have more specific guidance to help support your child’s social development. First 24 Months of Life Social Skills Checklist for 0-3 Months Smiles in response to you (i.e. "social smile") Looks at your face and makes eye contact Shows new facial expressions Calms down when you speak or pick him/her up Can self-calm (e.g. sucking thumb) Seems happy to see you Social Skills Checklist for 4-6 Months Smiles, moves or makes sounds to get your attention Chuckles in response to something funny Responds to some facial expressions and gestures Turns head toward the sound of your voice Enjoys looking at self in the mirror Has awareness of surroundings Recognizes familiar faces Makes sounds to express if happy or displeased Social Skills Checklist for 7-9 Months May be clingy or fearful around unfamiliar people Plays some games (e.g. peek-a-boo) Picks up meaning of words used frequently and consistently Responds to name Has a range of facial expressions (e.g. happy, sad, angry, surprised) May become "clingy" with you Reacts when you leave Prefers certain toys Social Skills Checklist for 10-12 Months Plays simple games with you Repeats sounds and gestures Mimics simple actions Extends toys to others Demonstrates separation anxiety when not with you Marks some independence (e.g. refusing food) Seeks to maintain interactions with adults Lifts arms up to you Social Skills Checklist for 13-18 Months Claps when happy or excited Hugs favorite toy or stuffed animal Enjoys being around other children and copies their actions Plays independently for brief periods Looks for hidden objects Enjoys repetitive actions (e.g. putting toys in boxes) Shows affection (e.g. hugs, kisses, cuddles) Social Skills Checklist for 19-24 Months Moves away from you but looks back to check you're close Points out things of interest Looks at pages of a book with you Says simple words like "hi" or "please" Helps you dress him/her Notices when you're upset or hurt Checks your face to know how to react to a new situation Shows "defiant" behaviors to assert independence (e.g. tantrums) Preschool Aged Children Social Skills Checklist for Ages 2-3 Copies others doing complex tasks (e.g. cooking, cleaning, etc.) Participates in group activities (e.g. singing, dancing, etc.) Shows affection for friends and family Has a wider range of emotions Shows you skills and says "Look at me!" Becomes upset by changes in routine Is able to calm down after you leave Is aware of personal needs and acts "selfishly" Expresses needs or desires (e.g. "I'm hungry") Screams or has temper tantrums Is aware of parental approval/disapproval May express anger through hitting, biting or fighting Has emotional attachments to certain toys or objects Seeks out parents/caregivers for comfort Social Skills Checklist for Ages 3-4 Cooperates with other children Tries to share and take turns Sometimes resolves conflicts in small settings Uses words to communicate Show independence (e.g. chooses own clothes to wear) Has a simple concept of good and bad Comforts others who are sad or hurt (e.g. hugging a friend) Avoids danger Enjoys being a "helper" Plays make-believe often Shows a higher tolerance for frustration Criticizes or expresses opinions Displays sympathy Social Skills Checklist for Ages 5-6 Develops friendships and even a best friend Understands others' feelings Follows rules and takes turns Enjoys singing, dancing and/or acting Engages in play that goes beyond personal experience (e.g. going to space) Knows the difference between real life and make-believe Has shifts in attitude or moods Shows shame when caught doing something wrong Completes simple chores at home School Aged Children Social Skills Checklist for Ages 6-9 Engages with other kids while playing or at school Knows how to lead and to follow May try to be the "best" at everything Shows concern for others Starts learning from mistakes May display infatuation with a teacher or playmate Begins to care for room and belongings May have difficulty coping with losing May express lack of confidence Social Skills Checklist for Ages 9-12 Seeks praise and instant gratification Becomes highly social May be influenced by peer pressure Puts some distance between self and adults Expresses a wide range of emotions Knows appropriate behavior Is able to manage anger and big feelings Shows interest in popular teenage things (e.g. music, videos, makeup) Feels self-conscious High School Aged Teens Social Skills Checklist for Ages 12-15 Wants to establish independence Engages in gossip Adapts behavior according to the situation Has a unique sense of self-expression Has an extreme range of emotions Can handle responsibilities such as homework, chores, etc. May be competitive Develops close friendships with peers May experience mood swings Social Skills Checklist for Ages 15-18 Shows more interest in romance, intimacy and sex Displays more independence from parents/caregivers Develops deeper sense of care and friendships Spends less time with parents/caregivers May feel sadness or depression Often tries new things (e.g. clothing, music, etc.) May test boundaries and take risks Develops own sense of values and morals May set long-term goals Use Our Social Skills Checklist to Meet Milestones Cultivating social skills in your child is essential to their well-being. Use our social skills checklist above to track your child’s development and practice skills in their age group. You might even look up recommended social activities to get started! At ThinkPsych, we’re strong advocates for nurturing EQ (emotional intelligence) in kids. Social skills are one of many vital aspects of EQ. Looking to boost your child’s social skills? Try out one of our expert-designed social skills games! References: CDC, “CDC’s Developmental Milestones,” https://www.cdc.gov Pathways, “What Social-Emotional Abilities Should My Child Have?” https://pathways.org Brain Balance Centers, “Age-By-Age Social Development Checklist,” https://www.brainbalancecenters.com Kid Sense, “Play and Social Development Charts,” https://childdevelopment.com.au Raising Children, “Social and Emotional Changes: Pre-teens and Teenagers,” https://raisingchildren.net.au