Social skills are the foundation of healthy relationships and supportive learning environments. At Little Big People, we make it a priority to intentionally guide and nurture the development of cooperation, empathy and respectful communication from the earliest years. These essential life skills not only prepare children for school but also help them grow into confident, kind and emotionally intelligent individuals.
We provide daily opportunities for children to practise sharing, turn-taking and problem-solving through both structured group activities and unstructured play. Our educators model positive language, support children through social challenges and offer practical tools such as role-playing, visual cues and stories to guide interactions.
According to StartingBlocks.gov.au, strong social skills are directly linked to a child’s emotional wellbeing, readiness for school and long-term success in relationships and learning environments (https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/other-resources/factsheets/supporting-your-childs-social-skills).
Our social and emotional learning program includes group discussions about feelings, cooperative games and carefully selected books that explore themes such as friendship, inclusion, kindness and fairness. These activities help children build an emotional vocabulary and learn how to express their thoughts and feelings in ways that are respectful and constructive.
Educators make the most of everyday moments — such as learning to wait for a turn or celebrating a peer’s success — as valuable teaching opportunities. Through gentle support and consistent guidance, children learn how to listen actively, negotiate differences and resolve conflicts with empathy and confidence.
Families are active partners in this process. We regularly share ideas, strategies and progress updates to help support social development at home as well as in the centre. This collaboration strengthens each child’s learning experience and reinforces positive behaviours across environments.
At LBP, we view social development as a core part of early education. By encouraging empathy, communication and cooperation, we are helping children develop the skills they need to connect with others, contribute positively to their communities and thrive throughout life.