Social Skills in the Early Years: Helping Children Make Friends

Friendships in early childhood can be joyful, intense, and sometimes tricky. Learning to connect with others is a skill that develops over time. Children need practice, support, and patient guidance.

At Day One Early Learning Centres, we support social learning across all ages—from babies learning trust and attachment, to toddlers practising sharing, to kindergarten children learning teamwork and empathy.

What social learning looks like

Children learn to: – Join play and read social cues – Share and take turns – Handle conflict – Use words instead of hands – Understand different perspectives

How educators support social skills

We coach children in the moment. That might include: – Narrating what we see (“You both want the truck”) – Teaching simple scripts (“Can I have a turn when you’re finished?”) – Supporting problem-solving (“What could we do?”) – Helping children repair after conflict (“Are you okay? How can we help?”)

Why conflict can be healthy

Conflict is not a failure. It’s a chance to learn. With support, children build empathy, communication, and resilience.

A community where children belong

A strong early learning environment helps children feel safe, included, and valued. That sense of belonging supports learning in every area.

Ready to find the right early learning centre for your child? We’d love to learn a little about your family, answer your questions, and help you explore the best option for your child’s age and stage. Enquire now