Social-emotional Part 3

The Importance of Perspective-Taking

Perspective-taking is the social–emotional foundation skill that allows young children to understand that other people have their own thoughts, feelings, preferences, and experiences that may be different from their own. For preschoolers ages 3–5, this skill is just beginning to grow. Children at this age start to recognize that peers may feel differently about a situation, may want different things, or may see a problem from a different angle. Perspective-taking is closely tied to empathy, communication, cooperation, and problem-solving.

During this developmental stage, children move from egocentric thinking—believing everyone experiences the world as they do—to noticing and responding to the experiences of others. For example, a child begins to understand that a friend might be sad if a toy is taken away, even if they personally are not upset. They begin to interpret facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and contextual clues to understand another person’s perspective.

Perspective-taking is essential for building friendships, resolving conflicts, controlling impulses, and communicating effectively. It is also a major predictor of school success, because children who can understand others’ viewpoints are more collaborative, better problem-solvers, and more adaptable in group settings. From circle time to playground play, perspective-taking helps children navigate social situations with empathy and kindness.

Why Is This Important?

Perspective-taking is important because it lays the foundation for empathy, cooperation, and positive relationships. When children understand how others feel or what others might want, they are more able to share, take turns, resolve conflicts, and engage in meaningful play. This skill supports children’s ability to work in groups, follow directions, and communicate clearly — all essential components of school readiness. It also strengthens emotional intelligence. Children who can see another person’s point of view respond with more compassion and patience. They learn to negotiate, compromise, and consider the feelings of others before reacting. These abilities help children become more resilient, confident, and socially successful throughout childhood and beyond.

What Does It Look Like?

Perspective-taking in preschoolers may appear in small but important moments. A child might offer a stuffed animal to comfort a sad friend, adjust a game to include a peer, or realize that another child is upset because they didn’t get a turn. Children begin to talk about how others feel, predict what someone might want, and notice emotional cues like facial expressions or tone.

As the skill develops, children may say things like, “She’s sad because her tower fell,” “You can go first because you’ve been waiting,” or “He didn’t hear me, that’s why he didn’t answer.” In play, they may negotiate roles, cooperate in group activities, or check in when someone is left out. These behaviors demonstrate an emerging understanding that the world looks different from another person’s viewpoint.

What Happens to Children Who Do Not Develop It?

Children who struggle with perspective-taking often misread social situations, leading to frustration, conflict, or withdrawal. They may appear insensitive or impulsive—not because they mean to be, but because they have difficulty understanding how their actions affect others. These children may struggle to make or keep friends, join play successfully, or adapt to group expectations. Without early support, children may continue to experience social rejection, behavior challenges, poor problem-solving skills, and difficulty regulating emotions. Long-term challenges may include trouble working in teams, miscommunication, and elevated stress in social situations. Early intervention makes a profound difference in helping children build confidence and emotional safety.

How to Help Your Preschooler Develop It

Parents and teachers can support perspective-taking by modeling empathy, talking about feelings, and narrating real-life situations. Use open-ended questions such as, “How do you think he feels?” or “Why do you think she did that?” Provide children with opportunities to practice turn-taking, cooperative play, and role-playing. Reading books and discussing characters’ feelings is also a powerful way to build these skills.

Encourage children to consider others’ needs by using simple language: “She might want a turn now,” or “He looks upset—what could help?” Offer gentle coaching during conflicts and praise children when they show understanding. Predictable routines, warm interactions, and guided social experiences all help children strengthen their perspective-taking skills.

Activities That Promote Perspective-Taking

· Storybooks About Feelings & Friendship Pause to discuss how characters feel and why.

· Emotion Role-Play “Show me a face someone might make if they’re left out.”

· Turn-Taking Games Helps children consider fairness and others’ needs.

· Dramatic Play Scenarios Doctor, restaurant, school, or family roles encourage viewpoint shifting.

· “How Would You Feel If…?” Games Present simple social scenarios to encourage thinking.

· Puppet Shows Act out conflicts and solutions.

· Helping Jobs Children take responsibility for others’ needs.

· Picture Cards Match emotional expressions with situations.

Happy Teaching!

Linda C