Social skills are at the heart of every child’s success—both in the classroom and in life. From making friends to resolving conflicts, strong social-emotional development helps children navigate relationships, express feelings appropriately, and build confidence.
At Lyndon Learning Childcare, we know that developing these skills takes time, patience, and consistent modeling. The good news is that parents can do a lot at home to support and strengthen their child’s social growth.
Why Social Skills Matter in Early Childhood
The preschool and early childhood years are a time of tremendous emotional and social learning. Children are beginning to understand concepts like cooperation, fairness, and empathy. They’re also learning how to share space, toys, and attention with others.
Strong social-emotional skills help children:
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Make and keep friendships
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Communicate their needs effectively
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Manage frustration and big emotions
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Develop empathy and kindness toward others
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Build confidence in group settings
These are the same skills that lay the foundation for lifelong success in school, relationships, and even future workplaces.
1. Encourage Sharing Through Everyday Play
Sharing doesn’t always come naturally—especially for toddlers and preschoolers who are still learning the concept of ownership and fairness. Parents can support sharing by creating gentle, consistent opportunities to practice it.
Tips to try:
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Model sharing with your own actions (“I’ll share my snack with you!”).
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Use cooperative games that require working together rather than competing.
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Praise your child when they share or take turns (“That was kind of you to let your sister have a turn!”).
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Read picture books about sharing and talk about how the characters feel.
Remember that young children may not share perfectly every time. The goal is progress, not perfection.
2. Practice Turn-Taking Through Games and Conversation
Turn-taking is another essential skill that promotes patience, listening, and respect for others. It’s a key part of learning to play cooperatively and communicate effectively.
At Lyndon Learning Childcare, teachers often use circle games, board games, and songs to help children learn this skill naturally. Parents can mirror these strategies at home:
Try this at home:
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Play simple games like “Simon Says,” “Go Fish,” or building block challenges where everyone gets a turn.
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During family meals, take turns sharing “highs and lows” of the day.
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When your child interrupts, gently remind them to wait for their turn to talk and praise them when they do.
Over time, children learn that everyone’s voice matters—and that waiting their turn helps conversations and playtime go more smoothly.
3. Build Empathy Through Stories and Feelings Talk
Empathy is one of the most valuable social skills a child can develop. It helps children understand others’ emotions, build friendships, and make caring choices.
To nurture empathy at home:
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Talk about feelings often—both your own and your child’s. For example, “I felt sad when it rained and we couldn’t go outside.”
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When reading books or watching shows, pause to ask how the characters might feel and what your child might do to help.
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Encourage perspective-taking (“How do you think your friend felt when that happened?”).
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Model empathy yourself—show compassion when others are hurt or upset, and explain why helping matters.
At Lyndon Learning, teachers use “feelings charts,” role play, and cooperative play to teach empathy. When children see adults modeling kindness, they naturally begin to reflect it in their own interactions.
4. Model Positive Behavior Every Day
Children learn by observing the adults around them. Simple actions—saying “please” and “thank you,” apologizing when wrong, or showing patience—teach children the building blocks of respect and kindness.
Use mistakes as teachable moments. If your child struggles to share or becomes frustrated, help them label their feelings and guide them toward a better choice. This approach builds emotional awareness and self-regulation over time.
Helping Children Grow Socially and Emotionally
Developing social skills doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a gradual process that blossoms with consistent guidance, encouragement, and love. When parents and teachers work together to create supportive, empathetic environments, children learn how to build strong, positive relationships that will benefit them for years to come.
At Lyndon Learning Childcare, we’re proud to partner with families to nurture the social and emotional growth of every child. By encouraging sharing, turn-taking, and empathy at home, parents can reinforce the same skills we teach in our classrooms—creating a foundation for confidence, compassion, and lifelong success.