Introduction to social development
According to Garvis et al. (2019) and Kaywork (2020), social development in infancy and toddlerhood includes the capacity to build relationships, identify the emotions of others, participate in shared attention, imitate, take turns, and progressively engage in cooperative play. Lifelong social competency is based on responsive caregiving and secure bonds (McLean, 2016; Petty, 2016).
Key teacher competencies
- Setting an example of polite, courteous communication
- Encouraging moments of shared attention and serve-and-return
- Encouraging early cooperative, associative, and parallel play
- Using empathy instead of punishment to help children deal with conflict (Dean et al., 2019; Masterson, 2018).
Authentic curriculum links
Social learning takes place everywhere:
- Puppetry and drama (role-playing)
- Movement and music (group games)
- Humanities (tales about families and cultures)
- Daily habits, such as taking turns during meals
Three original learning experiences
| AGE | TITLE & DESCRIPTION | LINK TO THEORY & EYLF |
| 0-12 MONTHS | Face-to-face mirror play on tummy time | Joint attention; attachment- EYLF- 1.1, 4.1 |
| 12-24 MONTHS | Turn-taking rolling ball with educator and one peer | Imitation, reciprocity- EYLF 1.2, 2.1 |
| 2-3 YEARS | Cooperative blanket parachute with scarves and balls | Early cooperative play- EYLF 1.4, 3.2 |
RESOURCES
Picture Books
SONGS
Head shoulders knees and toes
If you happy and you know it
RHYMES/LULLABIES
This little piggy
Two little dickies birds
MOVEMENT GAME
This is the way we say hello