Practice greetings together
2–3 yearsSuccess MindsetMaterials: Stuffed animals or dolls (optional)
Role-play saying hello and goodbye with your child. One of you can be the visitor and one can be the greeter. Practice waving, saying 'hello' and 'goodbye,' and even simple phrases like 'how are you?' Switch roles so your child gets to practice both parts. Use stuffed animals or dolls as additional practice partners.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Role-play saying hello and goodbye with your child. One of you can be the visitor and one can be the greeter. Practice waving, saying 'hello' and 'goodbye,' and even simple phrases like 'how are you?' Switch roles so your child gets to practice both parts. Use stuffed animals or dolls as additional practice partners.
Why It Works
Explicit coaching of social skills is essential during this developmental period. Children need to learn the scripts and patterns of social interaction through modeling and practice. Parent and teacher training in social competence has been shown to prevent conduct problems and promote positive social skills (Webster-Stratton et al., 2001). These early social competencies form the foundation for effective peer interaction and predict long-term outcomes including employment and educational attainment (Durlak et al., 2011).
Tips for Parents
Keep practice sessions brief and playful, not formal or stiff.
Model the greetings first, then invite your child to try.
Praise your child when they use greetings with real people: 'You said hello to grandma. That was friendly.'
Materials Needed
Stuffed animals or dolls (optional)
Learning Methods
Social Learning Through PeersSymbolic and Pretend PlayInteractive Play-Based Learning
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