The interactions and relationships between children and their caregivers during early learning are essential for developing the emotional and social skills they will use throughout their lives. When children feel connected to the people around them and form relationships, they’re better able to learn and regulate their emotions.
For educators, knowing how to build and maintain these relationships is just as important as understanding the curriculum. Strong relationships with children support effective classroom management, better behavior outcomes, and stronger connections with families.
In this blog, we’ll share how to build strong relationships in early childhood education environments and how we help educators strengthen their connection with children through practical professional development and behavioral training.
In the early years, relationships and interactions shape a child’s understanding of the world. They are observant and will observe interactions around them and their peers, which shapes their expectations of how people treat one another. The way children interact with their teachers and caregivers directly influences how they communicate, manage emotions, and engage in learning. These early bonds form the foundation for social-emotional growth and behavioral development.
Children who feel connected are more likely to cooperate, show curiosity, and express themselves. Positive relationships reduce stress for both children and educators and create an environment where everyone can thrive.
While each child is different and relationships aren’t built overnight, certain approaches help create consistent, meaningful connections in early learning classrooms. These strategies support emotional safety, trust, and engagement—all essential in early childhood education.
Children feel more secure when they know what to expect. Consistent, age-appropriate boundaries help create a sense of structure and predictability in the classroom. When educators communicate expectations and follow through with calm consistency, it builds trust and reinforces safety.
Children learn how to treat others by observing how adults interact with them and with one another. Modeling respectful behavior, such as active listening, using polite language, and showing consideration, teaches children how to engage with empathy and care.
Challenging behaviors are often a sign of unmet needs or emotions that children don’t yet know how to manage. A calm, empathetic response shows children that their feelings are valid and that they can rely on you for support.
Helping children build peer relationships improves social development and creates a sense of community in the classroom. Guided group activities, turn-taking games, and cooperative play can strengthen those bonds.
Every behavior a child displays is a form of communication. When children act out or withdraw, they’re often expressing a need, emotion, or challenge they don’t yet have the words to explain. Educators who seek to understand the “why” behind behavior can provide more effective guidance and support. This approach not only addresses the root of the behavior but also helps strengthen trust and deepen relationships.
Building relationships requires more than instinct. It requires training that prepares educators for the emotional and behavioral dynamics of early learning environments. That’s where FirstDay Learning makes a measurable difference.
Our programs are designed to support early childhood educators with strategies that are practical, effective, and can be used from day one in the classroom. Through our early childhood education professional development and behavioral training for early educators, we help teachers create classroom environments where connection, communication, and trust come first.
Educators who participate in FirstDay Learning training gain:
Whether you're looking to improve teacher-child relationships, reduce behavior issues, or build consistency across your center, our programs provide the training and coaching to support your team.
At FirstDay Learning, we are committed to helping educators build the skills and confidence to foster those kinds of learning environments. Our programs center the relationships that matter most between children and educators, between staff and families, and between early learning teams. Contact us online or call (434) 989-2434 to learn more about our professional development programs and resources.