--- title: Relationships at the heart of learning description: Discover how relationships in early childhood foster learning, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging, shaping children's connections and community involvement. image: https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/2024.05.27_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX__-45-1.jpg --- ![ECMS\_Logo\_Teal\_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/EMCS%20Logos/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About About Overview [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) (03) 8481 1100 [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) ###### Share on [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/growing-together-relationships-at-the-heart-of-learning) [Follow us on LinkedIn](http://twitter.com/share?url=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/growing-together-relationships-at-the-heart-of-learning) [Follow us on Twitter](mailto:?subject=ECMS&body=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/growing-together-relationships-at-the-heart-of-learning) [Home](https://www.ecms.org.au/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) Relationships at the heart of learning # Growing together #### Relationships at the heart of learning Jun 10, 2026, 12:34:35 PM By Joni Prescher Share A group gathers around a shared discovery.   Two children work together to solve a problem. Children return to the same game together day after day. Someone makes space for another child to join in.  These everyday moments may seem simple, but they play an important role in children's learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging.  At ECMS, we know children learn through relationships.  Relationships help children make sense of the world around them. Through play, shared experiences and everyday interactions, children build confidence, develop empathy, explore new ideas and discover what it means to be part of a community.  Through relationships, children begin to understand not only who they are, but how they connect with others.  Learning with and from others  Some of early childhood's most important learning happens alongside other children.  Whether children are creating an imaginary world, building a cubby, negotiating the rules of a game or working through a challenge together, they are learning with and from one another.  These experiences help children share ideas, consider different perspectives and discover new ways of thinking. They learn that their voice matters while also learning to listen to and learn from others.  Often, this learning happens naturally through play. A shared project encourages collaboration. A disagreement creates an opportunity to work through a challenge together. A friendship grows through moments of connection, trust and shared experience.  Friendship, belonging and community  Many of the relationships children build in early childhood begin through play and everyday moments together.  Some friendships form quickly, while others develop over time through shared thinking, routines and discoveries. What matters most is that children feel connected, valued and that they belong.  When children experience a sense of belonging, they are more likely to participate in learning, share their ideas and engage confidently with the world around them. These experiences support children's wellbeing and help them develop a positive sense of identity.  Teachers and educators play an important role in creating environments where these relationships can grow. Through intentional planning, thoughtful interactions, shared experiences and opportunities for collaborative play, they intentionally create communities where every child feels seen, respected and included.  The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) version 2.0 reminds us that children learn, grow and flourish through responsive, reciprocal connections with people, place and community (ADGE, 2022).   Relationships are at the heart of every child’s learning. They help children understand themselves, connect with others and discover their place within a community.    Reference Australian Government Department of Education \[AGDE\]. (2022). Belonging, being and becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (Version 2.0). Australian Government Department of Education for the Ministerial Council.  ## Read On [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/0A5A5151.jpg?width=352&name=0A5A5151.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/ecms-conference-2026) ### [ECMS Conference 2026](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/ecms-conference-2026) What helps children and families feel that they truly belong? [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Cambrian%20Way%20Nov%202025%20(20)-1.jpg?width=352&name=Cambrian%20Way%20Nov%202025%20(20)-1.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/the-extraordinary-in-the-everyday) ### [The extraordinary in the everyday](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/the-extraordinary-in-the-everyday) At ECMS, we know that some of the most meaningful learning happens in the everyday moments of a... 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Northcote VIC 3070 ![ECMS\_Logo\_Teal\_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Privacy Policy](https://www.ecms.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Privacy-Policy.pdf) © Copyright 2024 ECMS ABN: 13 012 989 761 [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ecmschildren) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-childhood-management-services/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/ecms_childhood/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Joni Prescher", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/author/joni-prescher" }, "dateModified" : "2026-06-10T04:37:17.230Z", "datePublished" : "2026-06-10T02:34:35.000Z", "headline" : "Relationships at the heart of learning", "image" : [ "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/2024.05.27_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX__-45-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/growing-together-relationships-at-the-heart-of-learning", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/Primary_Logo_Teal_Sml.jpg" }, "name" : "ECMS" } } ```