Wawel International School – anglojęzyczne przedszkole i szkoła podstawowa Kraków
WAWEL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Little Friendships, Big Meaning – The Role of Peer Relationships in Preschool and Early Education
Children don’t only learn during lessons or educational games. Some of the most important learning happens between them – while waiting in line for the swing, drawing together, arguing over crayons, or negotiating who gets to be the cat and who will be the dog. It’s in these everyday interactions that peer relationships are formed – often underestimated, yet incredibly influential in a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.
🌱 Why are peer relationships so important?
Through interactions with peers, children:
learn about themselves – discovering their boundaries, emotions, and reactions;
build identity – realizing they’re different from others, and that it’s perfectly okay;
practice empathy, compromise, and assertiveness – essential life skills;
gain confidence – understanding they can be important to others, but also that they won’t always be the center of attention;
develop language and communication – because peer conversations, unlike those with adults, are the most dynamic and emotionally rich.
Playing together is not just fun – it’s a powerful space where children explore social roles, learn rules, and figure out how to cope with challenges – from feeling left out to learning how to say sorry.
🧩 Preschool – a relationship laboratory
For many children, preschool is the first place where they regularly meet other kids and must find their place in a group. The beginning can be difficult – with conflicts, jealousy, a desire to dominate, or a tendency to withdraw. That’s completely normal.
The role of adults – teachers and parents – isn’t to eliminate every problem but to guide and support children in understanding what’s happening. These tough moments are often the ones when kids learn the most – not when everything goes smoothly, but when they need to compromise, make up, or recognize someone else’s needs.
🏫 Early education – a time for friendship building
In grades 1–3, peer relationships become even more meaningful. Children begin to:
form lasting friendships,
recognize loyalty and betrayal,
share secrets, but also experience exclusion.
The peer group becomes a mirror and a point of reference. What classmates think and say starts to matter more and more. At this stage, it’s crucial to foster a classroom culture of respect, inclusion, and cooperation.
🎯 How can we support peer relationship development?
At school and preschool:
Create space for free play – that’s when relationships grow most naturally.
Don’t rush to resolve every conflict – help children name what’s going on and come up with solutions.
Celebrate diversity – kids learn from each other, especially when they differ in temperament, language, or communication style.
Model healthy relationships – children watch how adults communicate, show respect, and handle challenges.
At home:
Encourage time with peers outside of school – afternoons together, playgrounds, or workshops.
Don’t force friendships – let your child choose who they want to play with.
Talk about emotions and relationships – ask how they felt in the group, what was hard, what brought joy.
💬 In conclusion
In a world that increasingly values social skills, the ability to build relationships is one of the most important lessons a child can take from preschool and early school years. That’s why it’s worth nurturing those little friendships, helping children understand conflict, and enjoy being part of a group.
Because while you can learn math later, the feeling of being accepted and valued by peers is much harder to catch up on.