Why Social Play Matters: Building Friendships at Tillys
From the earliest years of life, children are learning how to connect with others. Being social plays a vital role in early childhood development, helping children build friendships, understand emotions and develop the skills they need to form positive relationships throughout life.
At Tillys, we recognise that learning how to play with others is just as important as learning letters, numbers or physical skills. Developing social skills is a major advantage of enrolling children into early childhood education and care.
What Is Social Play?
Social play involves children interacting with others through shared play experiences. This may look different depending on a child’s age and stage of development.
- Babies begin with observing others and responding to familiar voices and faces
- Toddlers engage in parallel play, playing alongside others while beginning to notice peers
- Preschoolers start to engage in cooperative play, sharing ideas, taking turns and working together
Each stage is an important step in learning how to build friendships and navigate social situations.
Why Social Play Is So Important
Through social play, children learn essential life skills that support their emotional and social development, including:
- Communication and language skills
- Sharing, turn-taking and cooperation
- Empathy and understanding others’ feelings
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Emotional regulation and self-confidence
Social play helps children feel a sense of belonging and connection, which supports overall wellbeing and positive mental health.
Building Friendships Through Play
Friendships in early childhood are built through shared experiences. Social play allows children to practice:
- Initiating play and inviting others to join
- Understanding social cues and boundaries
- Managing disagreements in a safe, supported way
- Experiencing joy, teamwork and connection
These early friendships help children develop confidence in social settings and prepare them for school and group environments.
How Tillys Educators Support Social Play
At Tillys, our educators intentionally support social play by:
- Creating environments that encourage group and cooperative play
- Modelling positive social interactions and respectful communication
- Supporting children to navigate conflicts calmly and constructively
- Encouraging inclusive play and a sense of belonging
- Observing children’s social development and planning experiences to support their needs
Educators guide children gently, helping them develop the skills needed to build and maintain friendships.
How Families Can Support Social Play at Home
Families can support social development and friendships by:
- Providing opportunities for play with siblings, friends or peers
- Encouraging turn-taking and sharing through games and activities
- Talking about feelings and emotions openly
- Role modelling positive relationships and communication
- Supporting children to solve small social challenges with guidance and reassurance
Growing Together Through Social Play
Social play is a powerful part of early childhood learning. It helps children understand themselves, connect with others and build the foundations for strong, positive relationships.
At Tillys, we are proud to support children as they develop friendships, confidence and social skills through play. By nurturing social play in the early years, we help children grow into kind, resilient and connected individuals — ready to thrive in the world around them. 💛🤝