Books to Promote Social Development
These books encourage social development in toddlers by promoting empathy, emotional understanding, and positive social behaviours. Through stories about kindness, sharing, and helping others, toddlers learn important concepts like taking turns, offering comfort, and understanding different perspectives. Books such as The Rabbit Listened and Hey, Little Ant introduce toddlers to the idea of considering others' feelings and resolving conflicts in a supportive way. Stories like The Invisible Boy and Kindness Makes Us Strong emphasize the power of inclusion and compassion, teaching little ones that their actions can help others feel seen and valued. By engaging with these books, toddlers are given opportunities to understand their own emotions, recognize the emotions of others, and learn how to navigate the complexities of social interactions in a positive, nurturing environment.
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Littles: And How They Grow
By Kelly DiPucchio
A sweet exploration of how littles (babies) grow and change, with a focus on love and community as part of social development.
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The Rabbit Listened
By Cori Doerrfeld
A gentle and tender story about empathy and offering comfort to a friend who is upset, helping toddlers understand how to support others.
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10 Things I Love About You!
By Danielle McLean
This book shares the joyful, loving bond between parent and child, emphasizing appreciation and love in a relationship.
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Kindness Makes Us Strong
By Sophie Beer
A heartwarming book that highlights the importance of kindness, teaching toddlers that kindness not only helps others but also makes them stronger and more resilient.
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The Feeling Book
By Todd Parr
A colourful and fun book that introduces toddlers to a range of emotions in a simple and relatable way.
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Hey, Little Ant
By Phillip and Hannah Hoose
This book teaches empathy and the importance of considering others’ perspectives by exploring a little ant's struggle against being squished by a boy.
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How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?
By Jane Yolen
A playful story about sharing, taking turns, and making friends, ideal for toddlers learning social interactions.
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How to Help a Friend
By Karl Newson
This story explores the importance of empathy and how helping a friend can be as simple as offering comfort or understanding.
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The Invisible Boy
By Trudy Ludwig
A poignant story about the effects of exclusion and the power of kindness and inclusion, teaching children about empathy and making others feel seen.
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It's OK
By Wendy O'Leary
A reassuring book that reminds toddlers that it’s okay to have big feelings, encouraging emotional expression and acceptance.
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The Circles All Around Us
By Brad Montague
A heartwarming book that celebrates connection, kindness, and the shared experiences that link people together.
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The Heart and the Bottle
By Oliver Jeffers
A beautifully illustrated story about love, loss, and how we can learn to open our hearts again, exploring emotional vulnerability and growth.
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