Supporting Children's Friendships and Social Skills
Learning to make and keep friends is one of the biggest developmental jobs of early childhood. This workshop gives educators practical ways to support children through the ups and downs of peer relationships — sharing, turn-taking, conflict and exclusion — without solving every problem for them.
Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.
Who this is for
For educators and room leaders supporting children's peer relationships and social skill development in group settings.
What we cover in the hour
- What realistic social skill development looks like at different early years stages.
- Supporting sharing and turn-taking without forcing it prematurely.
- Helping children navigate everyday conflict rather than intervening immediately.
- Recognising and responding to exclusion within a peer group.
- Supporting a child who struggles to join group play.
- Language for coaching social skills in the moment, not just after the fact.
What you'll leave with
- A developmental guide to realistic social expectations by age.
- Conflict-coaching language for common playground and room disputes.
- Strategies for responding to exclusion sensitively and fairly.
- Support ideas for a child who struggles to join group play.
- In-the-moment coaching phrases for sharing and turn-taking.
Inside the booklet
The booklet includes the developmental guide, conflict-coaching scripts and phrases for supporting group entry.
This workshop is anchored in the Aistear theme of Identity and Belonging, recognising peer relationships as central to a child's sense of belonging within the setting.
How it can be delivered
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed | €20 per person |
| Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand | €35 per person |
| Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135) | from €25 |
| Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5 | €35 per person |
| Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6 | €45 per person |
No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.
Common questions
- At what age should children be expected to share without adult help?
- This varies significantly by age and individual child, and the session includes a developmental guide so you can hold realistic expectations rather than assuming all children should manage sharing the same way.
- How do we handle exclusion between children fairly?
- The session covers language and approaches for naming exclusion when you see it, without shaming the children involved, and helping the group understand the impact of being left out.
- Should adults step in to resolve every conflict between children?
- Not every conflict — part of social development is learning to navigate low-stakes disagreements independently, and the session covers how to judge when to step back and when to step in.
- What about a child who consistently plays alone?
- This is covered directly, including gentle ways to support entry into group play without forcing social interaction a child is not ready for.
- Is this relevant for mixed-age rooms?
- Yes, mixed-age social dynamics are addressed, including how older and younger children can support each other's social development.
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More in this theme: Behaviour is communication · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates
Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.
Trusted early years resources
Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.
- Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA)
- Síolta: the National Quality Framework
- Children First national guidance (Tusla)
- First 5: Ireland's strategy for babies & young children
- Early Childhood Ireland
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