Social emotional development is learning to get along with others and feel like a valued member of the group. We see social development—the interest in other human beings—from the very earliest stages of infant development. Today’s featured social games for toddlers from Things to Do with Toddlers and Twos encourage parallel play as well as pro-social play.
Social emotional development is learning to get along with others and feel like a valued member of the group. We see social development—the interest in other human beings—from the very earliest stages of infant development. Today’s featured social games for toddlers from Things to Do with Toddlers and Twos encourage parallel play as well as pro-social play.
Greeting Song
Have children sit in a circle (or a reasonable facsimile there-of). One child at a time jumps up and down in the middle of the circle as the others sing and clap:
Jerry’s here today,
Jerry’s here today,
We all clap together ‘cause,
Jerry’s here today.
Substitute each child’s name, and sing to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell.”
Group Art Activities
Tape a large sheet of paper to the wall or table top. Let several children scribble or paint on this surface at the same time. This is an experience where children are still “doing their own thing,” but are using the same space. They are becoming aware of each other and you can talk about how they are sharing the paper and the crayons to make something together.
Pass the Teddy Bear (Or Anything Else) Game
Play some music, and have children pass a teddy bear from one to the other while the music is on. Turn off the music from time to time. When the music stops the child holding the teddy bear can do something special, like jump up and down. Vary the thing passed and what the child does when it’s his “turn” to keep the game interesting.
For more social activities for toddlers, pick up a copy of Things to Do with Toddlers and Twos and share your favorite social-emotional games with us in the comments below!
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