What is it about?
A new study has found that young children’s language skills and their ability to be kind and helpful grow together throughout childhood. Dr Dimitris Tsomokos (Institute of Education, University College London) and Dr Limor Raviv (University of Glasgow and Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics) studied over 11,000 children in the UK and discovered that when they learn to express themselves better, they also tend to become more caring and supportive of others. Interestingly, the reverse is true as well: children who show more kindness and empathy often go on to develop stronger language skills. An important aspect of this connection is "theory of mind" and better social competence. Theory of mind is the ability to understand what others might be thinking or feeling—it helps us understand that other people have their own thoughts, desires, and emotions. The study found this ability to understand others' emotions and thoughts better mediates the association between language ability and being more prosocial, and vice versa. For example, children who can talk more competently about their feelings are more likely to understand others' perspectives, which then makes them more likely to act kindly towards others. And when children practice these social skills, they improve their language abilities, creating a positive cycle of growth.
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Why is it important?
These findings suggest that parents and teachers can help children grow by encouraging activities that build both language and social skills. Storytelling, empathy-based activities like talking about how different characters feel, and games that involve cooperation and taking turns can boost both communication and kindness. It’s not just about learning words or practicing good behavior—it’s about building a solid foundation for understanding others, communicating effectively, and thriving socially.
Perspectives
The results of this work are relevant to everyone who cares for young children. Whether you are a parent, early years teacher, or a caregiver, it is becoming clear that when you take the time to talk with a child about their day and increase verbal interactions with them, or you read stories with them and talk about the characters, you’re not just boosting their language abilities. You are also helping shape their prosocial behaviour over time. Conversely, when you model helping, sharing, and show concern for others, you are also boosting their language development.
Dimitris Tsomokos
University College London
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A bidirectional association between language development and prosocial behavior in childhood: Evidence from a longitudinal birth cohort in the United Kingdom., Developmental Psychology, November 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/dev0001875.
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