Supporting Peer Relationships
As adults, we can help infants and toddlers make connections and enjoy each other’s company
What You Need to Know
Infants and toddlers love to connect with others. As they develop, young children may begin to show interest in their peers and want to play with other children. Supporting peer relationships means helping children enjoy each other’s company and reinforcing positive connections that set the foundation for developing friendships.
What It Looks Like
A quick glance at how you can support infants and toddler in peer interactions
Promote Social Skills
Help toddlers build important social skills, like this teacher does. Notice how she narrates and scaffolds children through the process of taking turns. She also applauds their efforts!
Foster Shared Experiences
Create opportunities for children to participate in activities with their peers. This is a great way to support the development of friendships skills.
Be Available and Supportive
Being ready to assist with peer interactions, such as taking turns, gives young toddlers the opportunity to practice their budding social skills in a safe and supportive way.
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
The Power of Play for Healing Trauma
Before fully engaging in interactions with peers, children exposed to trauma may need extra support to feel safe. This Childhood Education International brief presents ways in which play can help address these children’s needs.
FAMILY CONNECTION
Working with Families to Support Peer Relationships
This article from Raising Children Network (Australia) discusses how toddlers make friends and what teachers and families can do to support peer relationships.
CONSIDERING EQUITY
Supporting Young Children's Friendships
Some children with disabilities need extra support to connect with peers. This podcast describes the importance of early friendships and strategies to support children as they interact with peers.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH BOOKS
Kindness Makes Us Strong
Written and illustrated by Sophie Beer, this story highlights the power of everyday acts of kindness. Kindness is a friendly hello, a roaring cheer, or a quick boost. See how you can engage our youngest readers with the power of kindness.
Activity Cards for Infant and Toddler Classrooms
Part of the STREAMin3 curriculum, these activity cards provide simple and fun ways you can help older infants and toddlers connect with others
Hello, Goodbye!
Provide opportunities for children to greet or say goodbye to each other across the day.
Partner Clapping
Encourage pairs of children to sing Pat-a-Cake while clapping hands as they sit criss cross.
Partner Yoga
Yoga can be a fun way to connect. Challenge children to pose with a partner and work together.
Get Our Resource Guide
Includes questions and activities to guide your use of the videos, book suggestions, and activity cards featured for each of our core social-emotional skills
