The First Friendships: How Babies Learn to Socialise (and Why Sensory Storytelling Is the Secret Sauce)
Let’s face it—babies don’t exactly burst out of the womb ready to mingle. Most of their early social interactions involve intense eye contact with ceiling fans and trying to lick your face during nappy changes. But don’t be fooled—how babies learn to socialise starts way earlier than most people think.
At Adventure Babies, we witness it all the time. One minute, a baby is mesmerised by a sparkly scarf. The next, they’re making eye contact with another little one across a tray of rainbow oats, both of them squealing with delight. These first friendships? They’re not just cute—they’re the foundation for everything to come.
How babies learn to socialise through sensory storytelling
From the first moment your baby locks eyes with another wriggly human, they’re beginning to understand connection. They might not be swapping snack recommendations just yet, but they’re learning the basics of turn-taking, empathy, and shared attention—core skills in social and emotional development.
Here’s how we support that at Adventure Babies (and why our classes are way more than just “something to do on a Wednesday”):
🧠 Storytime that brings people together
When we gather around a book, babies experience shared focus—watching the same puppets, hearing the same words, reacting together. That’s a key part of how babies learn to socialise—understanding they’re not alone in the world, and that reacting to others is actually fun.
🤲 Sensory play with a side of “hey, who’s that?”
Tuff trays full of exciting textures aren’t just about developing motor skills—they’re social glue. Babies explore side by side, notice each other’s reactions, and even start to interact (sometimes with a friendly bop on the head—we’re working on that).
🎶 Songs, rhymes and shared joy
Music is a social superpower. Our songs and actions help babies anticipate what’s coming next, watch others for cues, and join in when they’re ready. It’s a brilliant way to build confidence and connect, all wrapped up in a nursery rhyme.
👶 Parent interaction = baby confidence
When grown-ups are engaged, babies feel secure—and that gives them the courage to look up, look around, and connect. Our classes are as much for you as they are for them. Because let’s be honest: you need the socialising too.
Why Adventure Babies classes support social development like nothing else
There are lots of baby classes out there—but we’re a little different. Every single session is carefully created to support all areas of baby development, including social skills, emotional bonding, language, motor skills, and more. We don’t just read a book and shake a rattle—we take your baby on a storytelling journey, where every texture, sound, and sparkle is there for a reason.
Our team is trained, passionate, and genuinely buzzing about the wonders of baby development. And because we run sessions in small, warm, welcoming groups, you’ll see your baby start to recognise familiar faces, reach out to others, and grow in confidence week by week.
So, when do the first friendships start?
Honestly? Sooner than you think. And the best part is, you get to watch it all happen—those tiny social sparks, those first interactions, those “I see you!” baby moments.
How babies learn to socialise isn’t just about toddler groups and future birthday parties. It starts now. With stories, with songs, with sensory play—and with you.
