2.5–3 years old: social development

Social development allows children to build harmonious, positive relationships with others. As kids develop socially, they learn how to communicate and manage their emotions, consider other points of view before acting, resolve conflicts, cooperate, and participate in society. A child’s temperament, primarily determined by genetics, influences how they interact with others from an early age. However, they continue to develop social skills as they grow, learning from personal experiences and the people around them—namely, their parents and family members.

Social development: 2.5–3 years old

At this age:

• Your toddler clearly shows their affection.
• They start using polite forms of communication such as “please,” “thank you,” and “hello.”
• They will happily play next to other children, but may not interact with them.
• They are increasingly able to play nice and wait their turn.
• They play make-believe, namely by mimicking adult behaviour.
• They start to feel more comfortable around strangers.

Over the next few months, your toddler will begin to do the following:

• Help other children do certain things, such as put toys away after they’re done playing.
• Adopt behaviours that are conducive to group life, such as waiting their turn and resolving conflicts with their words, not their fists.

Find out how to foster your child’s social development through books. (In French)

How can you help your toddler progress?

Each child is different and develops at their own pace. That said, you can help foster your toddler’s development by adopting the Comfort, Play, and Teach parenting approach, which can easily be integrated into your daily routine. The table below outlines small, age-specific actions you can take that will benefit your toddler’s social development.

Scientific review: Annie Goulet, psychologist Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: March 2020

Photo: GettyImages/FatCamera