For many children, preschool is the first place where friendships bloom outside of their family circle. These early relationships shape how children understand others, communicate their needs, and move through social situations with confidence. At The Gardner School, we know friendships are more than playmates for the moment. They are the foundation for empathy, resilience, and lifelong connection.

And it’s not just children who form meaningful bonds. Parents at The Gardner School often create friendships of their own, finding confidence and community with families walking the same stage of life.

Why Friendships Matter in Early Childhood

Preschool friendships are powerful teachers. With every turn-taking moment, every shared activity, and every “I’m sorry” or “Can I play?”, children build essential social-emotional skills that will support them for years to come. When children develop friendships, they are learning how to:

  • Strengthen communication and language skills
  • Recognize emotions and regulate their own
  • Build confidence and a sense of belonging
  • Solve problems and practice teamwork
  • Show empathy and understand different perspectives

These early experiences form the building blocks for healthy relationships, both now and in the future.

How The Gardner School Encourages Meaningful Connections

At TGS, friendships grow naturally because our classrooms are designed with connection in mind. Every activity, routine, and learning center creates opportunities for children to interact with others in warm, supported ways.

  • Small Group Learning: Children participate in small group activities that encourage collaboration, listening, and sharing. These moments help even the quietest children find their voice and feel included.
  • Social-Emotional Curriculum: Through planned lessons and everyday interactions, students learn to recognize emotions, express their needs, and navigate conflict with kindness. These skills help children build friendships that feel safe and supportive.
  • Guided Play: Play is where friendships thrive. Whether children are building with blocks, preparing pretend meals together, or solving a puzzle as a team, our learning centers give them space to practice cooperation and creative problem-solving.
  • Teacher Support and Modeling: TGS teachers model positive social behavior and gently guide children through challenges. They help children practice empathy, celebrate kind choices, and learn what it means to be a good friend.

Partnering With Parents to Support Friendships

Family involvement strengthens everything we teach at school. We encourage parents to talk with their children about the friends they make at TGS and the moments that help them feel happy, proud, or connected throughout the day.

Asking open-ended questions like “Who made you laugh today?” or “What did you and your friend build together?” helps reinforce social skills and opens meaningful conversations at home.

And for parents, the TGS community becomes a place of connection, too. Families often form friendships during drop-off, school events, parent socials, and shared milestones. That sense of community deepens the school experience for everyone.

A Warm, Connected Community at The Gardner School

Friendship is one of the greatest gifts of early childhood, and at The Gardner School, children experience it in a safe, supportive environment where they can be their full selves. Our classrooms are filled with joyful moments of connection, encouragement, and belonging. When children feel emotionally safe, they make friends more easily, communicate more confidently, and grow with curiosity and courage.

Interested in seeing how your child can thrive socially and emotionally at TGS? Schedule a tour today and experience the joy of connection in action.