Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
Understanding toddler and preschooler friendships
07 December 2016 - by Cheryl - YMCA Child Care
“Who are my daughter’s/son’s closest friends?” is one of the most frequently asked questions our child care staff get from parents.
The answer to this question can change from day to day depending on the age of your child.
Children from 1 to 2 years old typically engage in parallel play — where they sit beside one another, but play alone with very little interaction. However, they are still picking up play behaviours and vocabulary by sitting side by side.
Once children move into the preschool years, though, they start to notice one another and are more likely to move out of their own little zone to interact with their peers. From 2 to 5 years old, children are learning how to share, listen to others, and co-operate with one another, forming deeper attachments to others and using their words to describe emotions and manage conflict.
Friendship plays an important role in a child’s toddler and preschool years. Having friends and learning how to make them helps with social and emotional development and gives children a sense of belonging. Plus, knowing how to act in social situations with their peers builds confidence and having close friends with you can make transitions to new situations and settings easier.
Read our follow-up blog post to learn some tips about how to help your child build the skills he or she needs to make friends and manage social interactions.
The answer to this question can change from day to day depending on the age of your child.
Children from 1 to 2 years old typically engage in parallel play — where they sit beside one another, but play alone with very little interaction. However, they are still picking up play behaviours and vocabulary by sitting side by side.
Once children move into the preschool years, though, they start to notice one another and are more likely to move out of their own little zone to interact with their peers. From 2 to 5 years old, children are learning how to share, listen to others, and co-operate with one another, forming deeper attachments to others and using their words to describe emotions and manage conflict.
Friendship plays an important role in a child’s toddler and preschool years. Having friends and learning how to make them helps with social and emotional development and gives children a sense of belonging. Plus, knowing how to act in social situations with their peers builds confidence and having close friends with you can make transitions to new situations and settings easier.
Read our follow-up blog post to learn some tips about how to help your child build the skills he or she needs to make friends and manage social interactions.
