Examples of Social Skills Development in Toddlers: 3 Real-Life Examples Parents See Every Day

When parents ask for examples of social skills development in toddlers: 3 examples almost always includes this one: sharing and turn-taking. It’s the classic toddler battleground—two kids, one toy, and a lot of emotion.

Here’s a real-life scene you might recognize:

Your 2-year-old is happily pushing a toy truck. Another child reaches for it. Your toddler yells, “Mine!” and pulls it back. A few seconds later, with some coaching, they hand it over for a brief turn, then get it back. That tiny handover? That’s social growth in action.

What’s happening socially in that moment

Beneath the drama, your toddler is practicing several important social skills:

• Understanding others want the same things they do. They’re starting to realize other kids have their own desires and feelings.
• Learning basic fairness. Even if they hate it, they’re getting the idea that other kids get turns, too.
• Managing big emotions. Sharing often triggers frustration, which gives them practice calming down with your support.

For many toddlers, especially between 18 months and 3 years, sharing is hard. That doesn’t mean they’re selfish; it means their brain is still learning impulse control. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that by around age 3, many children can take turns in games and may start to show concern for a crying friend, both important social milestones (CDC Milestones).

More real examples of early sharing and turn-taking

If you’re looking for the best examples of how this shows up in everyday life, examples include:

• Passing blocks back and forth while building a tower.
• Taking turns going down the slide at the playground (with an adult reminding, “It’s her turn, then your turn”).
• Swapping crayons at the table when one child wants the blue and another wants the green.
• Waiting (briefly!) for a snack while you say, “First your brother’s milk, then yours.”

All of these are examples of social skills development in toddlers because they involve waiting, noticing others, and adjusting behavior.

How you can gently support this skill

You don’t need to drill your child with lessons; you just need to coach in the moment:

• Narrate what’s happening. “You both want the truck. Let’s take turns. You have it for a little bit, then he has a turn.”
• Use simple scripts. Teach phrases like, “My turn,” “Your turn,” or “Can I have it when you’re done?”
• Set up easy wins. Have duplicates of favorite toys when possible so your toddler gets the feeling of playing with others instead of always competing.

When you think of examples of social skills development in toddlers: 3 examples, sharing and turn-taking is the one you’ll probably see most often in your daily routine.

Example of Social Skills Development #2: Simple Conversations and Imitating Social Behavior

Another powerful example of social skills development in toddlers is their ability to join basic back-and-forth interactions. At first, this might just be sounds and gestures. Over time, it becomes short conversations, greetings, and little jokes.

Picture this:

You’re at the grocery store. The cashier says, “Hi!” and your 2½-year-old shyly says, “Hi,” back and then waves. Later, at home, they line up stuffed animals and say, “Hi bear, hi bunny, hi doggy,” copying that same social script. That’s social learning.

What’s going on in their social world here

These small interactions are examples of social skills development because your toddler is:

• Practicing social rules. Saying hello, goodbye, please, and thank you are early forms of social etiquette.
• Building conversation rhythm. They’re learning that talking is a back-and-forth, not a monologue.
• Imitating adults and older kids. Toddlers are expert copycats; they watch and repeat what they see.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toddlers around age 2–3 often start using short phrases, answering simple questions, and engaging in pretend play with others—key signs of growing social communication (HealthyChildren.org).

Real examples of early conversation skills

If you’re trying to picture more real examples of this kind of social growth, examples include:

• Your toddler handing you a toy phone and saying, “It’s Grandma. Say hi!”
• Answering simple questions like, “Do you want milk or water?” with words instead of just pointing.
• Saying, “My turn talk,” when they want a chance to speak.
• Joining in a song with gestures, like “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” with another child.
• Repeating phrases they’ve heard, like “How was your day?” during pretend play.

These are all examples of social skills development in toddlers because they show your child learning how people connect and respond to each other.

How you can encourage early social conversations

You don’t need special flashcards or apps. You are the best social teacher your toddler has.

Try:

• Modeling polite phrases. “Thank you for the block.” “Can I please have the red car?” They’ll copy you.
• Leaving space for them to answer. Ask a simple question, then wait. Toddlers need extra time to respond.
• Using real-life situations. Let them say “hi” to neighbors, order their own food in a simple way (“Milk, please”), or hand money to the cashier.

When we talk about examples of social skills development in toddlers: 3 examples, these tiny conversations and imitations are the ones that sneak up on you and suddenly make your baby feel like a real little person.

Example of Social Skills Development #3: Early Empathy, Comforting, and Cooperative Play

The third big example of social skills development in toddlers is empathy and cooperation—basically, your child starting to care about other people’s feelings and working with them instead of just next to them.

Imagine this:

Your 2-year-old sees another child cry when they fall. Your toddler looks worried, walks over, and offers their favorite stuffed animal. Or maybe they pat the child’s back because that’s what you do for them. That tiny act is early empathy.

What this looks like between ages 1 and 3

Between 18 months and 3 years, many toddlers move from parallel play (playing next to other kids but not really with them) to simple cooperative play (sharing a goal, like building a tower together).

Some everyday examples include:

• Bringing a blanket or toy to a crying sibling.
• Saying, “You okay?” or looking to you for help when a friend gets hurt.
• Helping you clean up toys when you say, “Let’s work together.”
• Pushing a friend on a ride-on toy or helping them climb up the slide ladder.
• Joining another child in feeding pretend food to dolls or stuffed animals.

These are powerful examples of social skills development in toddlers because they show your child starting to understand, “Other people have feelings, and I can respond to them.”

The CDC notes that by age 3, many children show concern for a crying friend and may join other children in play (CDC Milestones). Research in early childhood also suggests that responsive caregiving—comforting, labeling feelings, and modeling kindness—supports these early empathy skills.

How you can support empathy and cooperation

You can gently grow these skills by:

• Labeling feelings. “You’re sad because the block tower fell. Your friend looks sad too.”
• Praising caring actions. “You gave her a toy when she was upset. That was kind.”
• Modeling repair. If your toddler hits or grabs, guide them to check on the other child: “Let’s see if he’s okay. You can say, ‘Sorry.’”

When you think of examples of social skills development in toddlers: 3 examples, these small acts of kindness and teamwork are often the ones that make parents’ hearts melt.

More Everyday Examples: Where Social Skills Hide in Plain Sight

We’ve focused on examples of social skills development in toddlers: 3 examples—sharing, talking, and empathy—but social growth is sprinkled all over your day.

Here are a few more real-life moments that count as examples of social skills development:

• Following simple group routines at daycare, like sitting in a circle for story time or lining up to go outside.
• Copying other kids’ play ideas, like seeing someone jump off a low step and deciding to try it, too.
• Responding to their name in a group and coming when a teacher calls them.
• Using gestures to communicate with peers—pointing to invite another child to look, handing them a toy to start a game.
• Adjusting behavior based on feedback, like quieting down when you say, “The baby is sleeping,” or stepping back when a friend says, “No.”

All of these are subtle but important examples of social skills development in toddlers, showing that they are constantly learning from people around them.

2024–2025 Reality: Screens, Social Gaps, and Post-Pandemic Toddlers

Parenting toddlers in 2024–2025 comes with some new wrinkles. Many children born during or just after the COVID-19 pandemic had fewer early playdates, fewer group classes, and sometimes more screen time than previous generations.

Early data and expert commentary suggest:

• Some toddlers may be a bit slower to warm up socially in groups simply because they haven’t had as much practice.
• On the flip side, many families report stronger parent–child bonds from more time at home, which can actually support social and emotional skills.

If your toddler seems shy, slow to join groups, or a little overwhelmed by other kids, that doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. It may simply mean they need more gradual practice.

You can:

• Start with one-on-one playdates instead of big groups.
• Join parent–child classes (library story time, music, toddler gymnastics) where you stay nearby as a secure base.
• Use screens thoughtfully—co-watch when you can and turn what they see into real-world social practice (for example, acting out a favorite show’s characters together).

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to study how early experiences affect social development, and recommendations are updated as new data appears (NIH Child Development).

When to Ask for Help About Toddler Social Skills

Every child is different, and there’s a wide range of “normal” when it comes to social development. But it’s reasonable to talk with your pediatrician or an early childhood specialist if, by around age 2–3, you notice things like:

• Your child rarely makes eye contact, even with you.
• They don’t respond to their name consistently.
• They almost never imitate you or others (no copying claps, waves, or funny faces).
• They show very little interest in other children, even just watching them.
• They don’t use any words or gestures to communicate wants (no pointing, waving, or simple words).

These signs don’t automatically mean a serious problem, but they are worth checking out. Early evaluation and support can make a big difference, and in the U.S., many states offer free or low-cost early intervention services through public programs.

You can learn more about developmental milestones and when to seek help at the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program (CDC Act Early).

FAQ: Real-World Questions About Toddler Social Skills

What are some everyday examples of social skills development in toddlers?

Everyday examples of social skills development in toddlers include sharing toys (even for a few seconds), taking turns on the slide, saying “hi” or “bye” to familiar people, bringing a blanket to a crying sibling, joining another child’s pretend play, and following simple group routines like sitting for a story. All of these show your toddler noticing others and adjusting their behavior.

Can you give an example of a 2-year-old showing empathy?

A classic example of a 2-year-old showing empathy is when they see another child fall, look worried, and bring them a toy or pat their back. They might also say “You okay?” or look to you for help. These small gestures are powerful examples of social skills development in toddlers because they show your child starting to recognize and respond to other people’s feelings.

My toddler doesn’t like other kids. Is that normal?

Some toddlers are naturally more reserved or slow to warm up. It’s common for 1- to 3-year-olds to prefer playing near other children rather than directly with them, and that can still be a healthy example of social skills development. If your child never seems interested in others, avoids all interaction, or also has delays in communication, it’s worth bringing up with your pediatrician.

How can I gently encourage better social skills without forcing my toddler?

Think small and consistent. Set up short playdates, stay nearby as a safe base, and model the behaviors you want to see—sharing, saying hello, comforting others. Use simple language: “Your turn, my turn,” “Let’s help,” “She’s sad, you gave her a toy.” These repeated, low-pressure moments become some of the best examples of social skills development in toddlers over time.

Are screens hurting my toddler’s social development?

Screens themselves aren’t automatically harmful, but they can crowd out real-world interaction if they take up too much time. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests focusing on quality and balance: prioritize face-to-face play, conversation, and outdoor time, and when possible, watch or play alongside your toddler so screens become social, not just solitary. If you’re regularly seeing the examples of social skills development in toddlers: 3 examples we discussed—sharing, basic conversation, and early empathy—your child is likely getting valuable social practice.