During toddlerhood, children begin to:

• Express their emotions: They show what they're feeling—whether they're happy, sad, angry, or excited—as they learn to identify and communicate those emotions.

• Interact and cooperate with others: They start connecting with friends and caregivers, practicing sharing, taking turns, and getting along in play and everyday situations.

• Become more self-reliant: Toddlers grow more confident in doing things on their own, like choosing activities, playing, and taking care of simple needs, while still depending on grown-ups for support. 

• In the classroom, teachers help toddlers grow socially and emotionally by:

  ▶ Encouraging independent exploration
  Teachers invite children to try new tasks—like puzzles, block building, or drawing with chalk—so kids can practice confidence, decision-making, and problem-solving on their own 

  ▶ Using a feelings chart to support emotional awareness
  By offering a simple chart featuring facial expressions or emotion words, teachers give toddlers a tool to point out how they're feeling. Then, they acknowledge the child's emotion, show that they’ve been heard, and guide them through peaceful ways to express or calm those feelings.