Childhood buddies can make you a better person

A new study has revealed that people start connecting with others since childhood and the interaction mold and develop their adult character.

The early relationships help people learn to think beyond themselves as well as to understand the values and desires of others.

Dr. Theodote K. Pontikes, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Loyola University Health System, said that as human beings, people are social creatures at every developmental stage, from infancy to adulthood and different goals are needed to achieved at each stage, with respect to social and moral development, and each was important towards contributing to how well one functions as an adult.

Children begin to learn about perspective-taking through their peers, which allows them to realize how others might have different thoughts and feelings. This process facilitates to develop critical thinking skills, while practicing how to respond respectfully in the context of disagreements when interpersonal tensions arise. These are situations one encounters throughout life, and children need a strong grounding to know how to respond.

Companionship and learning begins in infancy through early interactions with family and other primary caregivers and as a child grows and explores the world outside the home and interacts with peers, he or she begins to understand social mores.

The research established that as important as friendships are to children, it's even more important for parents to remain involved in their kids' lives and children need to feel safe that they could be open and honest with their parents about their joys, struggles and concerns.