Toddlers can make friends they’ll have for the rest of their lives, whether it is at nursery, the park, or your own front room. In this article, we explore the significance of social skills and friendships in your toddler's development. Let's dive into how we can support our children on this incredible journey.

Encourage social interaction

Parents and caregivers should start by encouraging social interaction early on. Provide opportunities for your toddler to mix with others, whether through nursery or play schedules. These settings help make them confident with social skills like sharing and cooperating.

Model positive social behaviour

Children are like sponges for social behaviour. Set an example by demonstrating kindness and respect in your interactions with other family members. Emphasise the language you want them to use, including expressions and body language. Show them how you listen and resolve conflicts. Our actions speak louder than words.

Teach empathy and perspective-taking

Help your child develop empathy by teaching them to understand and consider others' feelings. Encourage perspective-taking by asking questions like, "How do you think your friend feels?" This cultivates compassion and a deeper understanding of others.

Foster communication skills

Encourage your child to express themselves clearly and respectfully. Teach active listening skills through eye contact, nodding, and appropriate responses. Role-playing is a fantastic way to practise conversational skills and introduce new vocabulary words. Remember, there's no right or wrong answer in role-play; it's about learning and having fun!

Encourage teamwork

Engage your child in team-based activities such as building Lego structures, painting, or soccer games. Emphasise the value of working together towards common goals and point out how you and your partner do this in your own lives to aid understanding.

Teach problem-solving

Teach your child problem-solving strategies like compromising, taking turns, or finding win-win solutions. Sharing, for example, teaches compromise and fairness. Encourage them to express their needs assertively while considering others' perspectives. Guide them in navigating conflicts and brainstorming solutions.

Teach inclusion

Diversity is beautiful, and our children should embrace it. Teach them to accept others for who they are, regardless of differences in appearance, background, or abilities. Be a role model by fostering friendships with people from diverse backgrounds. Reading children's books about diversity and inclusion can help start conversations.

Make the most of social opportunities

Don't miss the chance to arrange playdates for your child. Consider enrolling them in group activities or clubs aligned with their interests, where they can meet like-minded peers and form friendships based on shared hobbies. The social opportunities provided by nursery and preschool are golden chances for lifelong friendships.

Encourage friendships

Applaud and chat about your child’s new friends. Encourage their natural kindness and plan their social calendars. By showing them the value of friendship in your own life, your child can better grasp its significance.

Support social challenges

Guide your child through social challenges. Help them understand different social cues. Role-play stressful interactions to build their confidence and equip them with strategies to handle challenges. Remember, if your child struggles, don't hesitate to reach out to a paediatrician, especially if you also have additional behavioural concerns about him or her.

How can nurture my toddler's social skills and friendships?

Unii's Toddler Health & Development Journey covers early childhood friendships and learning to play and share with others.