120 HAWAII PARENT January/February 2026 Social skills can feel natural for some children and confusing for others. They shift across the years; a preschooler who struggles with turn taking may grow into an elementary student who feels unsure about joining a game, and later into a middle schooler who worries about fitting in. When parents understand what to expect at each stage, they can better support their child by offering tools that help them build meaningful relationships. Preschool and Kindergarten Years In the early years, social skills develop quietly in the background. Infants study faces, voices, and movement long before they can speak. Toddlers begin noticing that other people have their own thoughts and emotions. By preschool and kindergarten, children try to share toys, join play, and interpret rules that are often unspoken. Conflict naturally appears. A child may grab a toy without asking, or another may burst into tears when they lose a by Elsa Lee, Ph.D. Clinical Director, Assets School
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