Discussed are ways to help the preschool child develop social skills within the context of the child care center. Social growth is seen to be a gradual process which is helped by consistent care provided by the same individual for the first few years of life. Guidelines are offered for recognizing a healthy social outlook and include noting how the child expresses his feelings. Stressed is the teacher's function as a model of social behavior. The development of a healthy self image is seen to involve positive experiences in the areas of competence, self care skills, group membership, sexual identification, and self defense. Getting along with others is seen to require learning difficult skills such as sharing, waiting, showing acceptable manners, expressing friendship, competing constructively, and demonstrating concern for others. Growth from individual to group concern is thought to be fostered by experiences in exchanging ideas, cooperating and pretending, playing, and eating together. (DB)