Key Social Milestones to Look For in Your Toddler’s Early Development Journey
Watching your little one grow socially is an exciting experience, and at Jane’s Place Early Learning Childcare Centre, we’re here to support your child every step of the way. Social development is a key part of a child's early years, and we understand the impact it has on their future relationships, communication skills, and self-confidence.
Today, we’ll explore some important social milestones that your toddler will likely encounter in the early stages of life and how our Early Learning Preschool environment encourages these developments.
Understanding Early Social Milestones
The social milestones children reach are essential in building their ability to connect, empathise, and communicate. As they grow from curious infants into more independent toddlers, children begin to explore relationships with those around them. Here are a few of the key social milestones to look out for in toddlers:
1.Learning to Share and Take Turns
Sharing doesn’t come naturally to most toddlers, but it is one of the first social skills they develop. You may notice your child gradually becoming more comfortable with the idea of taking turns while playing with toys or during group activities. At Jane’s Place, our educators guide children through these early experiences, teaching them patience and empathy in a caring, safe environment.
2.Recognising and Responding to Emotions
As toddlers grow, they start to identify and respond to the emotions of others. This might look like showing concern if a friend is upset or expressing joy when seeing a familiar face. Developing emotional awareness helps children build empathy, an essential social skill. Our team at Jane’s Place creates daily activities that encourage children to express and recognise emotions in themselves and others, setting the foundation for positive relationships.
3.Developing Language Skills
Social development is closely tied to language acquisition. Between the ages of two and three, children rapidly build their vocabulary, allowing them to express their needs, thoughts, and feelings more clearly. Our Early Learning Preschool environment is rich in interactive storytelling, singing, and group conversations that stimulate language skills and encourage children to connect with their peers.
4.Building Confidence in Group Play
Play is central to learning, especially in the early years. Through group activities and cooperative games, toddlers begin to develop the confidence to explore and initiate interactions with others. At Jane’s Place, we create opportunities for guided group play that allows children to build their social skills at their own pace while feeling supported and encouraged.
How We Support Social Development at Jane’s Place?
At Jane’s Place, we believe in creating a nurturing space where children feel safe to explore these early social milestones. Here are some ways we encourage social growth:
Structured Group Activities: We offer group activities that help children practice taking turns, following instructions, and collaborating with others.
Outdoor Play Spaces: Our sun-safe, outdoor play areas allow for continuous play throughout the day, providing children with plenty of time to engage with their friends in a natural and relaxed setting.
Personalised Attention: Our dedicated educators work closely with each child, offering support tailored to individual needs to help them develop confidence in social settings.
Bringing your child to an early learning preschool environment like Jane’s Place means you’re giving them the advantage of early social experiences that can set them up for success. Our unique combination of nurturing care, structured social opportunities, and high-quality educators ensures that every child’s journey in social development is both meaningful and joyful.
