For toddlers, social-emotional learning through play is especially important, as they are beginning to form early concepts of self-regulation, empathy, and social interaction. Here are some ways to offer social-emotional play-based learning specifically for toddlers:
Emotion-themed Toys & Dolls: Use dolls, stuffed animals, or puppets that display different emotions. Toddlers can interact with them, expressing and naming emotions like happiness, sadness, or surprise. You can even use the toys to model how they can express their own feelings.
Emotion Cards: Show toddlers simple pictures of faces expressing different emotions and help them point to their own emotions. This can be used in both structured and free-play settings.
Caring for Dolls or Stuffed Animals: Toddlers enjoy mimicking adult behavior, so providing opportunities for them to “care” for dolls or stuffed animals helps them practice empathy. They might pretend to feed, comfort, or rock a doll to sleep, learning to recognize and care for others’ needs.
Simple Group Activities: Even activities as simple as stacking blocks together or playing with toy cars in a shared space can help toddlers practice turn-taking and sharing. Positive reinforcement (praise or gentle encouragement) for waiting or sharing will help nurture these behaviors.
Breathing with Toys: Toddlers can use a soft toy or stuffed animal and practice slow, deep breathing by making the toy “breathe” in and out. This encourages them to start regulating their own emotions and self-soothing.
Calm-Down Time: Create a safe, cozy space where toddlers can go if they feel overwhelmed. This area could have soft pillows, calm toys, or books, giving toddlers a chance to learn how to regulate their emotions independently.
Pretend Play: Engage toddlers in pretend play scenarios, such as pretending to have a picnic or taking turns pretending to be a chef or doctor. Pretend play allows toddlers to practice their language skills while also learning social cues and interaction.
Songs with Movements: Simple songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It” or “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” are excellent for toddlers to practice social-emotional concepts through movement and song. These songs teach body awareness and emotional expression in a playful way.
Parallel Play: At this stage, toddlers often play side-by-side, rather than with one another. Encourage parallel play (where they engage with similar toys or activities nearby) and gradually guide them toward more cooperative play as they get comfortable.
Sharing and Taking Turns: Simple games like rolling a ball back and forth or passing a toy help toddlers learn the basics of sharing, turn-taking, and cooperation. You can encourage this by saying things like, “Now it’s your friend’s turn!” or “Let’s share the toy.”
Choice-making: Allow toddlers to choose their activities when possible. For example, ask if they would like to play with blocks or paint, giving them the opportunity to make decisions. This can foster confidence and self-awareness, while also teaching them about making choices and consequences.
Encouraging “I Can” Moments: Provide opportunities for toddlers to accomplish small tasks on their own, such as putting toys back in the box, washing hands, or feeding themselves. Celebrate these moments, building their sense of self-esteem and pride.
Storytelling: Read simple books that depict social scenarios like making friends, feeling sad, or waiting for a turn. After reading, talk with the toddler about the emotions the characters felt and how they might respond in similar situations.
Interactive Books: Choose books with flaps to open or textures to touch, which engage toddlers while also teaching them about different emotions, actions, and social behaviors.
These activities encourage toddlers to build the foundation for social-emotional growth through play. The key is to keep it fun and low-pressure, letting toddlers explore and learn at their own pace
