Not Just Nutrition, Children's Social Development Should Also Not Be Ignored

Nutritional intake is one thing that parents never forget regarding their little one's growth and development. However, there is one thing that is often forgotten, namely personal social development which is actually no less important than nutritional intake. "We also pay attention to personal social and emotional aspects. How children empathize, how children know to behave," said a pediatrician practicing at Eka Hospital Cibubur, dr. Melia Yunita, MSc, Sp.A, at the Press Launch of Bebelac Liquid Formula Milk at Urban Forest Cipete, Jakarta, Thursday (6/19/2025). 

Personal social development includes children's ability to understand themselves, what they can do, and how they should take care of themselves. Furthermore, how children understand the process of relating to others, building friendships, understanding social rules, and behaving towards others. 

Regarding this, Lia highlighted the attitudes of children of generation Z and Alpha. 

In Indonesia, based on data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, generation Z is the population born in 1997-2012, while generation Alpha was born in 2013-2024. "Patients who come to the clinic, children of generation Z and Alpha age, they seem very relaxed. They come with gadgets, sit down immediately, take off their shoes, and put their feet up on my sofa in the clinic," said Lia. She admitted that she was annoyed by this behavior. In fact, Lia often reprimands them to put their gadgets away so that the consultation can run smoothly. 

However, Lia did not deny that this attitude was only shown by children who were younger. "It's different from children who are a bit older. They definitely come more politely. Sit more neatly, don't immediately get excited with their cellphones. So, let's also pay attention to their personal social and emotional aspects," she said. According to Lia, children with good personal social and emotional development are better able to read situations and understand how they should behave at certain moments. 

For example, when her parents take her to a pediatrician for a growth and development consultation. "'If I'm in the doctor's room, I meet adults in a new environment, I have to be polite. Oh, if I'm at home, maybe I can be more relaxed'. Well, that's the aspect that I think is starting to disappear," said Lia. This can be a reminder to parents that a child's growth and development also includes attitude. "Remember that personal, social and emotional development, what kind of attitude, whether they are kind or not, whether they want to share with their friends, that is also important to hone," concluded Lia. 

Tag: Generation Z And Alpha Indonesian Central Statistics Agency Nutrition