What behavior might suggest a second grader lacks developed social skills?

A second grader exhibiting attention-seeking actions paired with inconsistent behavior can indicate undeveloped social skills. This behavior often suggests that the child may be struggling to understand appropriate social interactions and how to engage with peers or adults in a stable manner. Inconsistent behavior can manifest as alternating between seeking attention in positive and negative ways, which reflects a lack of understanding of social cues and norms. These actions can be a child’s way of trying to connect with others but not having the skills to do so effectively.

In this context, the other options highlight different aspects of a child's behavior but do not directly indicate a lack of social skill development. Excelling at math while being quiet could point to a strength in academic areas without implying any social difficulties inherently. Being highly focused on academic tasks mostly focuses on cognitive skills, which doesn't necessarily correlate to social skill deficits. Fearfulness in the presence of authority figures might suggest anxiety or other emotional issues rather than a clear absence of social skill development, as it can stem from various causes such as past experiences or temperament.