The Effect of Language Development on Social Development

Language development is correlated to social development 1. When children have issues with language, it can lead to problems with relationships with peers or parents because children must be able to adequately communicate their feelings, thoughts and desires in order to form deep connections and maintain friendships throughout life. Language development issues can extend over to other aspects of learning and cognitive development, but the earlier any language issues can be identified and dealt with, the better the outcome for the child

Self-Expression

Part of language development is being able to verbally express yourself. When children have difficulties expressing themselves verbally, they can have issues socially, according to a study published in the Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy Development. The study, "The Impact of Language Development on the Psychosocial and Emotional Development of Young Children," says children with language development issues often feel insecure in speaking to their peers about their likes and dislikes. This leads to a decrease in social activity, and more isolation for the child. Children with speech and conversational language delays may have a difficult time expressing their social issues to their parents, as well. The article recommends that parents pay attention to their children's language development from infancy in order to identify any potential issues before they inhibit the child socially.

Developing Relationships

The child welfare website, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), says children must develop adequate language skills in order to socialize appropriately with their peers. The organization reports that in order for children to be proficient in conflict resolution and peer interaction, and to develop individuality, they must have language development. If a child has a problem with a peer, and she cannot adequately verbalize her thoughts and feelings, it is nearly impossible for that child to have her feelings understood, according to SCAN. The site stresses to parents that the cornerstone of a healthy social life for children is language development.

Relational Aggression Issues

Language development has been tied to relational aggression levels in preschool students in a study published in the Social Development Journal 1. A group of preschool students, both male and female, were observed by their teachers and researchers. Students who showed signs of language delays were also reported as having higher level of relational aggression. Relational aggression is when harm is caused to personal relationships or social status 1. The issue was found to be more prevalent in female students than male students, according to the Social Development Journal.

Early Childhood Development

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children go through the greatest brain development in the first three years of life. Language development is an important aspect of overall brain development, as it includes communication skills as well as vocabulary. The WHO stresses that children who suffer from poor early development, such as a lack of language skills or poor health care, can have issues for years to come without proper intervention. The organization says the greater the language and cognitive development are for children 6 months to 3 years, the greater their development socially and cognitively. When children develop to their full potential in early childhood they are set up for a lifetime of social and academic success.