Allow older children to talk and play with your baby as you hold your child. For example, suggest that another child bring a toy to your baby, or have your baby give another child a toy to play with. New Jersey Birth to Three Early Learning Standards. (2013). New Jersey Council for Young Children. Hagens, H. E. (1997). Strategies for encouraging peer interactions in infant/toddler programmes. Early Childhood Education Journal, 25, 147–149. (Level III) USA.
For young children, familiar surroundings encourage better social interactions. Coming face-to-face with an unknown child in an unfamiliar setting will most likely frighten an infant, especially if a well-known caregiver is not nearby. Give children time to get used to each other and the environment.
A trusted caregiver nearby may also allow the child to feel comfortable enough to initiate or respond to other children's social overtures.
Small toys can also serve as a focus for infants' social play as they can show them to each other and offer and accept them, which helps develops skills for turn-taking and reciprocity.