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Supporting Adult-Child Relationships

Young children thrive when the adults around them show they care. Young children learn they have value and develop a sense of self-worth through warm interactions with primary caregivers. Your children learn from your words and actions whenever they are with you.

  • Playtime is practice time
    Your child practices social and communication skills during playtime by learning to share ideas, take turns, and express emotions. As you play, demonstrate kindness, thoughtfulness, and working together to solve problems.
  • Build connections
    Encourage your child’s connections with relatives, neighbors, child care providers, and teachers. He will turn to these safe adults for help when he has a problem. Say, “This is such a nice drawing. I think Uncle Joe would like it. Let’s send it to him.”
  • Set a good example
    Your child learns how to treat people kindly by watching you. Show your child cooperative and kind behaviors when you interact with other adults. He notices when you say “Thank you” when a cashier hands you change or when you say “Excuse me” to the stock clerk in the grocery store when you need help finding an item.
  • Use appropriate language
    Explain appropriate ways to talk to adults. Teach your child to use kind words and polite manners. Your child notices your tone of voice and body language. This includes using appropriate ways to address people such as calling the dentist “Dr. Patel” or calling a neighbor “Mrs. Jones” if that is how she prefers to be addressed.

IEL Resources

About this resource

Setting(s) for which the article is intended:
  • Home
  • Preschool Program
  • Kindergarten

Intended audience(s):
  • Parents / Family
  • Teachers / Service providers

Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
Related IEL Birth to Three Guidelines:
Related Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards:
Reviewed: 2016