Wrap-up & Reflection

Today we’ve learned strategies that promote children’s engagement in activities and interactions, how those can be used to set the stage for positive interactions and friendships, and why this is important to social-emotional development.

We’ve talked about ways to embed friendship skills into daily routines you’re already doing in your classroom, paving the way for a lifetime of healthier interactions. We have talked about how this might look a little different for infants and toddlers. Think about what practices you might want to implement in your classrooms or what you might change to help children interact with each other.

Major Messages to Take Home:

  • Positive peer interactions are the foundation for the development of social and friendship skills.
  • Teachers can support positive peer interactions by setting up the environment to promote interaction, and throughout the day, during routines such as play, meals and snacks, and clean-up time.

Handout 6

Check out Handout 6, the Practice Implementation checklist. You can use this to reflect on your own teaching practices. This is the same type of checklist you’ve had in past trainings. This time, it’s focused on promoting positive peer interactions. First, star items you feel are strengths for you. Then, check any of the boxes that apply. You may even find you want to check some boxes for items that are a strength for you. This checklist is for you to use in reflecting on your practices.

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