Your child is starting to see himself as a person who is part of a family, culture, neighborhood and wider community. That is called having a “sense of self.” You are his main model and support as he figures out his place in the world.
Loving and responsive parenting helps children to see the world in a positive way and to expect that relationships with others will be rewarding. Children who display high levels of social competence typically enjoy parentchild relationships characterized by positive and agreeable interactions and acceptance (COHN, PATTERSON, & CHRISTOPOULOUS, 1991).