Nursery World - Learning & Development: Two-Year-Olds - Part 2

Growing interest in each other will affect the social development of two-year-olds. Penny Tassoni suggests ways of supporting them in interacting socially

When it comes to social development, two-year-olds often get a bad press. We are often told how they cannot share or play together. While there is some truth in this, the picture is actually more complex.

A good starting point when looking at two-year-olds' social development is to recognise that most two-year-olds, indeed most humans, are designed to be social creatures. In the adult world, true 'loners' are an exception which is why their behaviour is commented upon. Having said this, two-year-olds are still developing their social skills and understanding of other children and this journey will, of course, have its bumpy moments.

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