Nurturing Social Skills in Early Childhood: 7 Positive Ways to Help Under-5s Thrive
10/11/25 Knowledge Base ParentingNurturing Social Skills in Early Childhood: 7 Positive Ways to Help Under-5s Thrive
Nurturing social skills in early childhood is one of the most important parts of helping children grow into confident, kind, and capable individuals. At kinderzimmer, we see every day how friendships, teamwork, and empathy bloom naturally when children are given time, space, and meaningful interactions with others.
Social development in the early years lays the foundation for later learning, emotional wellbeing, and even school success. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) places strong emphasis on “Personal, Social, and Emotional Development,” recognising that secure relationships and positive social experiences shape how children understand themselves and the world.
1. Building Bonds Through Play
Play is the heart of nurturing social skills in early childhood. Whether it’s sharing blocks, creating a make-believe kitchen, or building a rocket together, children learn vital lessons: cooperation, turn-taking, and empathy.
At kinderzimmer, open-ended play resources mean a single object can become anything, today a bridge, tomorrow a birthday cake. This flexibility encourages communication and collaboration. Parents can extend this at home with simple activities like cooking together, making dens, or outdoor treasure hunts.
2. Encouraging Communication and Listening
Early conversations, even before children can speak fluently, build understanding. Practising nurturing social skills in early childhood includes helping little ones express emotions, listen to others, and use words to solve problems.
In our nurseries, educators model gentle communication:
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“Can you show me how you feel?”
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“Let’s find a way to play together.”
At home, reading stories like The Colour Monster or Giraffes Can’t Dance supports emotional vocabulary. The National Literacy Trust offers great resources for developing communication skills.
3. Practising Empathy Every Day
Empathy doesn’t appear overnight, it’s learned through daily experiences. When children comfort a friend or wait patiently for a turn, they’re showing early empathy.
At kinderzimmer, we gently guide children to notice others’ feelings: “It looks like Sam is sad, what could we do to help?”
Simple routines like sharing snack time or helping tidy up teach care and cooperation.
4. Outdoor Adventures Together
Outdoor play naturally strengthens friendships. Our gardens and adventure walks at kinderzimmer are perfect for teamwork, from balancing on logs to collecting leaves for art.
Group challenges, like building a den or making a nature collage, teach children to plan, listen, and compromise. Rain or shine, we spend around two hours outdoors daily because social learning doesn’t stop at the door.
5. Using Music and Movement
Music is a universal social language. Group songs, rhymes, and dancing encourage cooperation and joy. Singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with partners or moving to rhythms builds connection and trust.
At kinderzimmer, music is woven into our curriculum, supporting both emotional regulation and social awareness. Parents can try at home by having “family music time”, it doesn’t matter if you’re in tune, just that you’re together!
6. Gentle Guidance and Positive Discipline
Children under five are still learning how to manage feelings and impulses. Positive guidance, not punishment, helps them feel safe and supported while learning from experience.
Our educators use clear, calm language and model conflict resolution. Instead of saying “No hitting,” we try “Hands are for helping.” This aligns with the EYFS goal of promoting self-regulation and emotional literacy.
Parents can mirror this at home by praising cooperation: “You waited your turn, that was kind!”
7. Creating Belonging in Nursery and Beyond
True social growth happens when children feel a sense of belonging. At kinderzimmer, we nurture inclusive environments where every child’s background and family is valued. Our app even lets grandparents join the digital newsfeed, staying connected no matter the distance.
Strong community bonds, between parents, children, and educators, help little ones feel secure, ready to take risks, and eager to learn together.
For parents seeking support, gov.uk’s early years foundation stage framework explains how personal and social development is prioritised in UK nurseries.
Growing Together
Nurturing social skills in early childhood is about creating opportunities, big and small, for connection, kindness, and confidence to grow. Whether through play, music, outdoor adventures, or simply a comforting smile, each positive interaction shapes a child’s lifelong approach to relationships.
At kinderzimmer, we’re proud to help children across Muswell Hill, Berkhamsted, Walton-on-Thames, South Kensington, Chelmsford, Sunbury-on-Thames, White City, Walthamstow, and Amersham grow socially and emotionally, ready for the wider world.
