Baby Steps

1       Description
 

Baby Steps is our warm and foundational group for toddlers and early preschoolers (ages approx. 3 to 5) who are just beginning to explore the world of peers. In this group, we shift the focus from simply getting comfortable with others to connecting and feeling motivated to be with others.
 

We help each child:

• feel excited about being near others and noticing peers,
   

• explore their own thoughts and feelings about joining in & interacting (even subtly),
   

• build gentle social curiosity and motivation to engage in side-by-side and collaborative play, transitions, and small shared routines.
   

What Do Children Practice in Baby Steps?

• Learning to be with others: playing near others, noticing their presence, showing calm and curious energy.
   

• Growing motivation for turn-taking and sharing (with adult support): “I may try to share,” “I may wait one turn,” “I may watch how someone else plays, then try.”
   

• Recognizing their own space and the space of others, supporting a motivated approach to joining in safely.
   

• Transitioning between activities with confidence and the motivation to explore the next thing.

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• Feeling supported and celebrated as they push gently toward social participation at their own pace.

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•  ready, you could say 'My turn'”
   

• Snack Time — sitting together with peers, enjoying individual snacks and engaging in small chats with adult support, prompt: “Do you like xxx?”, “Look, xxx has xxx!!”
   

• Group Gross Motor Song/ Play — participate in gentle and low-pressure group games (obstacle course, parachute, scarfRoutines

• Arrival & Cozy Free Play — gentle sensory bins, pretend kitchen, building toys; children choose their preferred toy and are gently encouraged to notice a peer.
   

• Welcome Circle — short greeting songs with visuals, prompt: “I am … today” with lots of visuals.
   

• Book Time —  sitting together with adult support, read and understand short stories with prompts: “What is it?”, “Where is xxx?”

 

• Play Together Station Time — structured toy-stations set up for side-by-side and collaborative play; teacher prompts: “When you want to join, you could say 'Can I join'”, “When you want a turn and are-pass, ball rolling) movement games, teacher encourages motivation: “I am going to try”
   

• Closing Song & Goodbye — Adults encouraging the learners to say goodbye to friends and celebrate effort, and motivate small next steps.

 

Example Activities

• Bubble-catching or “pop and pass” game: the teacher models, then children take turns.
   

• Side-by-side painting: children can practice their fine motor skills by painting with various mediums and social language skills by indicating to their peers or teachers which colors they want next.
   

• Toy station rotation: children move between stations; teacher says: “If you’re ready, you can pick a new toy or ask a friend, ‘May I play?’”
   

• Matching play trays: two children have similar trays; the teacher encourages looking at the peer and then saying “Look!” or “Me too.”
   

• Transition song with prompt: “When you hear the song, you can try walking to the circle with me — are you ready?”
   

Sensory waiting game: single turn-taking with a share of sensory tool (e.g., sand timer) — teacher prompts: “I know you’re waiting — next you can try to say ‘my turn’.”

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2       Q&A

 

Q: My child plays mostly alone. Is Baby Steps too social?
A: Not at all. Baby Steps is designed for exactly that, children who are beginning to tolerate others or play beside others. We don’t force interaction; we foster motivation to be near peers and gradually join in.
Q: My child doesn’t take turns or share yet. Will that matter?
A: Not at all. At this stage we aren’t expecting full sharing yet. What we are supporting is the motivation to try: noticing others, waiting a little, choosing to pass or say “your turn.” We model and gently support.
Q: What if my child cries or needs help during the session?
A: That’s very common and expected in this age group. We prioritise safety and emotional comfort. Our team supports transitions and gives warm guidance, always listening to each child’s readiness to explore the “next step.”
Q: What kind of child is Baby Steps best for?

• Children aged about 3 to 5 years old (or slight variation, depending on readiness)
   

• New to structured group settings or only beginning peer-play
   

• Plays mostly independently, but is ready to become curious about others
   

• Needs a calm, predictable, highly supported environment with gentle encouragement
   

• Would benefit from an approach that emphasises motivation leads to engagement, rather than pushing independence right away.