January 15, 2026
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we've had the privilege of supporting over 1,200 families from more than 35 countries through these transformative years. Our child-centered approach recognizes that each toddler is on their own unique journey, and understanding what's happening inside their developing minds can help you feel more confident and connected as a parent.
This article will explore what social-emotional development looks like in 1-2 year olds, what behaviors you might observe at home, and practical strategies you can implement immediately to support your child's growing emotional intelligence.
Social-emotional development encompasses how children learn to understand their own emotions, recognize feelings in others, form relationships, and eventually regulate their behavior. According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, the foundation for healthy social-emotional development is built in the earliest years of life through responsive relationships with caring adults.
During the toddler years, your child's brain is forming crucial neural connections that will influence their ability to:
Research consistently shows that children who develop strong social-emotional skills in early childhood are better prepared for academic success, form healthier relationships, and demonstrate greater resilience throughout their lives. This is why our play-based learning environment at Runningbrook places such emphasis on nurturing these essential skills from infancy onward.
Every child develops at their own pace, and there's a wide range of what's considered typical during the second year of life. However, understanding common developmental patterns can help you recognize and celebrate your child's progress. Remember, you are the expert on your own child – these descriptions are meant to inform, not to compare.
Between 12 and 24 months, you'll likely notice your toddler expressing a broader range of emotions with increasing intensity. You might see:
These big feelings can sometimes feel overwhelming – for both of you! It's important to remember that toddlers haven't yet developed the brain capacity to regulate their emotions the way adults can. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control and emotional regulation, won't be fully developed until their mid-twenties.
One of the most heartwarming developments during this period is the emergence of empathy. You might notice your toddler:
This early empathy is still quite basic – your toddler may assume that what comforts them will comfort others (hence offering their blanket to a crying adult). But these tender moments represent the foundation for more sophisticated emotional understanding that will develop in the years ahead.
At this age, toddlers are typically more interested in playing near other children than directly with them. This "parallel play" is completely normal and represents an important stepping stone toward cooperative play that emerges later.
You might observe your toddler:
In our multicultural environment at Runningbrook, we see beautiful examples of toddlers learning to navigate social situations with peers from diverse backgrounds. Even without shared language, children find ways to connect through play, gestures, and emotional expression – reminding us that social-emotional skills transcend cultural boundaries.
Many toddlers experience a peak in separation anxiety between 12 and 18 months. This can be challenging for parents, especially if you're returning to work or transitioning your child to childcare. However, separation anxiety is actually a healthy sign of secure attachment.
Common behaviors include:
It's worth noting that cultural factors can influence how families navigate separation and attachment. Some cultures prioritize constant physical closeness during early childhood, while others encourage earlier independence. There's no single "right" approach – what matters most is that your child feels secure in your love and availability.
The good news is that you're already doing the most important thing: showing up for your child with love and attention. Here are some additional strategies you can implement to nurture your toddler's social-emotional growth.
Help your toddler build emotional vocabulary by narrating what you observe. When your child is upset because their tower fell down, you might say: "You're feeling frustrated! You worked so hard on that tower, and it fell. That's disappointing."
This simple practice accomplishes several important things:
Avoid the temptation to immediately "fix" the emotion or distract from it. Sometimes, children just need to feel heard before they can move on.
Toddlers thrive on predictability. When they know what to expect, they feel safer and more confident, which frees up emotional energy for exploration and learning.
Consider establishing:
At Runningbrook, our Growing Steps program for children 6 months to 2 years maintains gentle, consistent routines that help even our youngest learners feel secure. This doesn't mean rigidity – flexibility is important too – but having a general rhythm to the day provides a foundation of safety.
Your toddler is watching you constantly, learning how to handle emotions by observing how you handle yours. When you're feeling stressed or frustrated, try narrating your own experience and coping strategies:
"Mama is feeling frustrated because there's so much traffic. I'm going to take some deep breaths to help myself feel calmer."
This modeling is incredibly powerful. It shows your child that adults have big feelings too, and that there are healthy ways to manage them.
While toddlers aren't ready for complex cooperative play, they benefit enormously from being around other children. Look for opportunities such as:
Our bilingual education environment allows children to develop social skills while being exposed to different languages and cultural perspectives. We've observed that even our youngest students demonstrate remarkable social awareness when given the opportunity to interact in a supportive setting.
Toddlers are driven by a powerful need to do things themselves. While this can be challenging (especially when you're in a hurry!), supporting their independence builds confidence and self-esteem.
Look for safe opportunities to let your toddler:
The key is finding the balance between supporting independence and providing the security your child still needs. When your toddler knows you're nearby and available, they feel braver about exploring the world.
While this article focuses on 1-2 year olds, it's helpful to understand how social-emotional development continues to unfold. At Runningbrook, we support this growth across all our programs:
Each stage builds on what came before, which is why laying a strong foundation during the toddler years is so valuable. The emotional awareness and relationship skills your child develops now will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond.
Parenting a toddler is both deeply rewarding and genuinely challenging. Those intense emotions, the push-and-pull of independence and attachment, the fierce determination mixed with overwhelming vulnerability – it's a lot to navigate for both of you.
Remember that there's no perfect way to support your child's social-emotional development. What matters most is your consistent presence, your willingness to see the world from their perspective, and your unconditional love – even on the hardest days.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we believe that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued for exactly who they are. Our extensive indoor and outdoor play spaces, dedicated educators, and small group sizes create an environment where social-emotional growth can flourish naturally through play-based learning.
If you're looking for a partner in your child's early childhood development journey, we invite you to visit our community. Since 1993, we've been honored to support families from around the world as they nurture curious, confident, compassionate children. Your child's emotional well-being matters to us as much as it does to you.
Trust yourself. You know your child better than anyone, and your love is the most powerful force in their development. Together, we can help your little one build the social-emotional foundation they need to thrive.