Blog

Teaching Social Skills in Preschool Starts with a Simple Question

Have you ever watched your child tightly hold onto a toy, refusing to let go? You’re not alone. Learning to share doesn’t come naturally—it’s a skill that must be taught. That’s why social skills in preschool are so vital. 

In the early years, children develop behaviours that shape how they interact with others for life. In this guide, we’ll explore why sharing is important for a child, how to encourage it, and how Green Grass Nursery (GGN) in Dubai nurtures these skills through its award-winning, bilingual curriculum and play-based philosophy.

Why are Social Skills in Preschool so Important?

Strong social skills help children:

• Build friendships
• Navigate conflict
• Communicate their feelings
• Collaborate on tasks

These are foundational abilities that contribute to emotional intelligence and lifelong success. When children start preschool, they are introduced to a social world outside their home. It’s in this setting that they learn key behaviours like turn-taking, empathy, and cooperation.

Teaching Sharing in the Classroom: A Preschool Essential

What Makes Sharing So Difficult?

• Young children are still developing impulse control.
• They often view toys as extensions of themselves.
• They don’t yet understand that someone else will give the toy back.

Teaching Sharing Skills to Preschoolers: Proven Methods

At Green Grass Nursery, sharing is taught as part of everyday interaction. Here’s how:

• Modelling by Teachers
  Our experienced educators model positive behaviour by using phrases like “Let’s take turns” or “I’m sharing this with you.”
• Visual Timers for Turn-Taking
  A timer shows when it’s time to pass a toy. This builds predictability and fairness.
• Praise and Encouragement
  We highlight positive moments of sharing with praise: “That was kind of you to share the blocks with your friend!”
• Storytelling and Role Play
  Stories like “Llama Llama Time to Share” are used during circle time, followed by puppet shows or dramatic play to practise the concept.

Encouraging Cooperative Play in Early Childhood

What Is Cooperative Play?

Cooperative play involves working together toward a common goal—building a tower, putting on a puppet show, or cooking pretend meals.

Benefits of Cooperative Play

• Builds patience and negotiation
• Improves listening and speaking skills
• Reinforces a sense of belonging

At Green Grass Nursery, we create structured and free play opportunities that encourage children to work together. From gardening in our Outdoor Classroom to art activities inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, cooperation is woven into every learning moment.

Social Development Activities That Work

Here are a few activities we use to support social development:

Each of these activities aligns with the EYFS British Curriculum and supports holistic growth.

Strategies for Teaching Empathy to Toddlers

Empathy is the foundation of good relationships. Here’s how we encourage empathy at Green Grass Nursery:

• Name Emotions: “It looks like Sara is sad because she didn’t get a turn. What can we do to help?”
• Books and Stories: Stories that explore feelings help children step into another’s shoes.
• Praise Empathetic Acts: When a child comforts a peer, we acknowledge it publicly to reinforce the behaviour.
• Mirror Games: Children copy facial expressions to understand non-verbal cues.

Developing Social Skills in Nursery School: Our Everyday Practice

We don’t just teach social skills—we live them. At GGN:

• Teachers observe and guide peer interactions.
• The environment is designed for small group work.
• Bilingual communication is encouraged in English and Arabic to promote inclusion.
• Children engage in daily activities that support emotional regulation and friendship building.

Why Choose Green Grass Nursery Dubai?

At GGN, we create a loving, inclusive, and respectful environment where every child is supported in their social journey. Here’s why families trust us:

1. Award-Winning Excellence
   Winners of Edarabia Parents’ Choice Awards (2017 & 2020) and MEA Markets Nursery School of the Year (2023).
2. Bilingual Advantage
   Our fully bilingual nursery uses the EYFS curriculum in English and Arabic, giving children a cognitive and social edge.
3. Small Class Sizes
   Our limited teacher-to-child ratios ensure your child receives personal attention and care.
4. Reggio Emilia Inspired Learning
   Child-led exploration through play and outdoor learning boosts confidence and cooperation.
5. Outdoor Classrooms
   Nature-based learning promotes teamwork, curiosity, and shared responsibility.
6. Daily Arabic Lessons
   We integrate Arabic language and UAE cultural values into everyday experiences.

Whether you’re looking for a nursery near Mall of the Emirates or in Al Manara, Green Grass Nursery offers two convenient locations with the same high-quality education.

FAQs: Parents Ask, We Answer

Q: Why is sharing important for a child’s development?
A: Sharing builds patience, empathy, and social awareness—all vital life skills that start in preschool.

Q: How do you teach social skills in preschool?
A: Through guided play, role modelling, storytelling, and daily routines that foster cooperation and kindness.

Q: What age is best to start teaching sharing skills?
A: As early as 2 years old. Our teachers gently introduce the concept and reinforce it through play and stories.

Q: How can I support this at home?
A: Practise turn-taking games, read books about emotions, and praise moments of kindness and cooperation.

Conclusion: Growing Together, One Social Skill at a Time

Strong social skills don’t appear overnight. They are built, moment by moment, in the right environment. At Green Grass Nursery Dubai, we nurture your child’s ability to share, cooperate, and empathise—setting them up for future success both academically and emotionally.

Want to see our social learning in action? Book a tour at Green Grass Nursery today and discover how we’re growing kind, confident, and compassionate learners every day.

Green Grass Nursery – Where social growth begins, and childhood blossoms.