| Parents often focus on academic achievement, but one of the most powerful influences on a child’s development is something far simpler: meaningful social interaction. According to Linique Hanekom, a speech-language therapist at the Centre for Health & Human Performance in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU), everyday interactions such as talking, playing and responding to children are fundamental to their language development, emotional wellbeing and ability to build healthy relationships. “Social interaction is far more than simply socialising. It is a fundamental component of development throughout the lifespan,” says Hanekom. Research has consistently shown that interactions between children and the people around them play a critical role in shaping learning, behaviour and emotional wellbeing from an early age. “From a very young age, parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how children communicate, build relationships and understand the world around them,” she explains. These early interactions influence several aspects of development, including language and communication skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving abilities and the formation of healthy relationships. While social interaction may appear simple, involving everyday activities such as talking, playing, maintaining eye contact and responding to facial expressions, its impact on brain development is profound. Hanekom points to the concept of “serve and return” interactions, highlighted by the Harvard Centre on the Developing Child, as one of the most important processes in early development. “When a child makes a sound, points, babbles or uses a gesture, and an adult responds in a sensitive and appropriate way, neural connections in the brain are strengthened,” she says. “These repeated interactions support not only language development, but also attention, memory and emotional regulation.” However, a lack of meaningful social interaction can have significant consequences. “When children and adolescents do not have sufficient opportunities for social interaction, it can lead to speech and language delays, increased stress and anxiety, poor emotional regulation and slower cognitive and social development,” Hanekom says. She explains that social interaction evolves as children grow older. During early childhood, learning takes place primarily through play and responsive engagement with caregivers. “Young children learn best through play and interaction with responsive caregivers who react sensitively to their sounds, gestures and attempts to communicate. These interactions not only build language skills, but also create a sense of safety and emotional security,” she says. The role of social interaction becomes equally important during adolescence, although its purpose changes. “For teenagers, social interaction is central to the development of identity, self-esteem and mental health. Interaction with peers creates opportunities for social learning, the formation of friendships and a sense of belonging,” says Hanekom. These experiences contribute to self-confidence, independence and emotional wellbeing. Conversely, limited social interaction during the teenage years may result in feelings of isolation and loneliness, increased anxiety, difficulties in building and maintaining relationships, and reduced self-esteem. As children spend more time interacting with screens and less time engaging face to face, Hanekom believes parents, educators and caregivers have an even greater responsibility to create opportunities for meaningful human connection. “Parents, educators and caregivers play a decisive role in facilitating social interaction by deliberately creating opportunities for meaningful, responsive and reciprocal communication,” she says. She adds that prioritising healthy social interaction is not only important for academic achievement, but also for raising emotionally healthy and socially capable individuals. “The promotion of healthy social interaction should be regarded as a priority – not only for academic success, but for the development of resilient, emotionally healthy and socially competent individuals,” Hanekom concludes. |
Social interaction is essential for healthy childhood development
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