Building Relationships With Staff & Friends

As children develop, they have the dual task of building a secure sense of self, and of discovering how to be with others and do things collectively. This is not easy, and it does not happen quickly.
We can see development happening most clearly in children’s play. Very young babies might seem mostly to be in their own world, but gradually through the first few weeks and months they begin to interact more obviously with their caregivers, exchanging smiles and expressions. Toddlers will play with us, and often they will play “alongside” each other in what is sometimes called parallel play.

(Realising the Ambition,   Feb 2020)