During the past two decades, a convincing body of evidence has accumulated to indicate that unless children achieve minimal social competence by about the age of 6 years, they have a high probability of being at risk into adulthood in several ways. This digest presents a checklist of attributes of child social behavior that teachers are encouraged to examine every 3 or 4 months. The checklist is intended as one of variety of ways the social well-being of children can be assessed. The attributes indicate adequate social growth if they characterize the child's "usual" behavior. The attributes include individual characteristics, such as positive mood and capacities for empathy and humor; general social skills, such as gaining access to groups at play and work, taking turns fairly and easily, and not drawing inappropriate attention; and peer relationship attributes, such as acceptance rather than neglect or rejection by peers. The digest includes suggestions for teachers for observing and monitoring interactions and cautions awareness of what is appropriate and effective behavior for individual cultures. Contains 14 references. (HTH)