The development of prosocial behavior depends on several factors and leads to advancement both socially and personally. This form of conduct can be broken down into sharing, helping, and cooperating. By demonstrating Prosocial behavior in early childhood the individual will have increased chances of future success within their culture.

The definition of prosocial behavior can be simplified into the following statement taken from Guidance of Young Children by Marian Marion, 7th edition, "Prosocial behavior: behavior that benefits another person or animal."

This is related to altruism, the ability to assist others without thought of personal gain. Though there are many types of behaviors that are socially accepted and seen as excellent moral values, the idea of Prosocial actions focuses on living beings that can feel both physical and emotional pain and pleasure.

Sharing is one of the most important behaviors. It is possible for a child to share their time, resources, or knowledge in order to benefit another individual or group. Though many people view a child sharing as a helpful gesture, it also serves as a gateway for social interaction. From the moment an infant learns to hand items back and forth with a caregiver or another child they are developing the ability to share. This eventually becomes a win-win opportunity for children to engage others in play. By providing an object to another person, the young child creates a non-threatening gateway and common interest.

Another important area of development is the ability to help others. It is possible for children to rescue, defend, and remove the cause of distress or guide others away from distress. Along with these, the most common is helping with tasks. Allowing children to perform age-appropriate duties will allow them to display their ability to assist others while building their self-esteem. One of the strongest ways to teach a child this form of Prosocial behavior is to model it. If children observe adults helping others or animals they will instantly see the benefits to this form of action.

Cooperation may be hard for some children to understand while others seem to demonstrate a cooperative spirit. Helping individuals or a group to achieve a goal is one example of this behavior. Another is cooperation without a specific goal. This is shown in cooperative play which may reveal all three of these behavioral types.

The motivation for most of these actions comes from emotional or cognitive competencies. The latter of these is the realization that the child is an individual and has the personal power to create change. The emotional competencies may come from a genuine feeling of empathy, need for approval, or a sense of responsibility. They are internal motivators. These abilities are learned early on but may take a long time to fully develop.

Accepted behaviors may vary from culture to culture but they all share the three basic qualities. Sharing, helping, and cooperation are universal in their importance.

Learn more about this author, Sarah Perryman.
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