Helping Your Toddler Bond With Other Toddlers

While you might want your toddler to become BFFs with your neighbor's 2-year-old, it's unlikely that she will eagerly engage in days filled with cooperative play. According to the child development experts at the KidsHealth website, toddlers typically prefer to play alongside -- but not with -- other kids, also known as parallel play. That said, you can still help your young child connect, or bond with, other like-aged kids during play dates and other social situations in a pared-down way.

  1. Expectations and Development

    • Before you rush to the conclusion that your toddler will never truly bond with his peers, keep in mind that this developmental stage is characterized by parallel play. Set your expectations for your child's social connections to match his actual abilities, and not your perception of how kids should play. For example, if you have the idea that your toddler should spend his days building block towers and chatting with his day care classmate, you may find yourself disappointed when he builds blocks alongside -- but not with -- his buddy.

    Play Dates

    • Play dates provide a relaxed social situation that provides opportunities for toddlers to bond and connect with one another. The American Academy of Pediatrics, on their Healthy Children website, suggests that parents provide their toddlers with opportunities to practice social skills during play-type meet-ups. Pack the play date with plenty of activities to keep your toddler, and her friend, busy. This will help reduce the risk of conflicts. For example, try an easy craft like finger painting or play a simple game such as "follow the leader."

    School

    • Day care or preschool provides an opportunity for toddlers to socialize and connect with other children. The group nature of a "school" setting encourages young children to work and play together. Child care centers and preschools, according to the national early childhood organization Zero to Three, give toddlers the chance to learn key social skills, such as getting along with other kids, and to nurture new relationships. While a schoollike environment isn't the only way that toddlers can learn how to bond with other children, it is an effective way to enhance pro-social skills.

    Mediation

    • Binding between toddlers isn't likely to happen on its own. Given the tendencies that toddlers show toward parallel play, you may need to play the role of the mediator to facilitate a friendship connection. For example, during an outing to the local park you may need to take your shy toddler up to a new friend and introduce the pair. You may also need to spend some time encouraging the kids to play the same game or engage in the same activity, or mediating conflicts that may arise.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Parallel and Reciprocal Play for Toddlers
      When you bring your toddler to a friends house for a playdate, you might be underwhelmed at first -- the two kids might completely ignore each other most of the time. But they are actually engaging in parallel play, a type of developmental play which
    • Things to Do in Houston, Texas, for Toddlers
      Keeping a toddler busy in Houston can be an easy task because the city is home to one of the top 10 zoos in the country, an award-winning childrens museum and multiple pubic library branches that have special childrens events. You will find that Hous
    • Playgroup Ideas
      Playgroups can provide the socialization that young children need when learning how to get along with others. These gatherings can also expose them to different activities, making them more willing to try new experiences. Although playgroup dates can