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Building Relationships

Help children build strong social connections with Kaplan’s relationship-building resources. Cooperative games, social-emotional tools, and classroom activities support empathy, communication, teamwork, and positive interactions through engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Sense of Place Hex Wall System - Frames and Mirrors
Item: 302180
Status: In Stock
$169.95
Reassure children that they are important, loved and part of their classroom community using this wall system of frames and mirrors. Hang photos or drawn self-portraits of students in the included frames. Included mirrors encourage observation and self-awareness. When used together, the photos and reflections inspire conversation, interaction and a sense of belonging. Set includes 6 frames and 4 mirrors that easily affix to the classroom wall or chalkboard. Each piece measures 10"L x 9"W x 1.2"H.<br />\n\n 
Career Dramatic Play Dress-Up - Set 1
Item: 32402P
Status: In Stock
$39.95 - $199.95
3 - 5 years. Inspire children to explore a variety of careers with these five career garments. Features hook-and-loop closures for easy dress up. Accessories and hats are included for all with the exception of the astronaut garment. 100% polyester. Soft, machine washable fabric. Includes: Mechanic, Construction Worker, Mail Carrier, Astronaut, and Chef. Available individually or in a set of 5.
See Options for Career Dramatic Play Dress-Up - Set 1
Career Dramatic Play Dress-Up  - Set 2
Item: 32403P
Status: In Stock
$39.95 - $199.95
3 years and up. Inspire big dreams through pretend play! Our collection of career costumes for preschoolers lets children step into the shoes of community helpers and professionals-from doctors and firefighters to chefs, builders, and teachers. Dressing up encourages imaginative storytelling, boosts language development, and helps children learn about different jobs that make a community work. Designed with comfort and durability in mind, these realistic dress-up outfits are easy to slip on and take off, making them ideal for classroom dramatic play centers or home learning spaces. As children explore roles and responsibilities, they gain a better understanding of teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving in fun, hands-on ways. Durable, machine-washable materials designed for years of pretend play. Available individually, or in a set of 5.
See Options for Career Dramatic Play Dress-Up - Set 2
Me and My Friends Diverse Smiling Faces Posters - Set of 12
Item: 63715
Status: In Stock
$21.95
Celebrate diversity and friendship in your classroom with this high quality Me and My Friends Diverse Smiling Faces Classroom Posters. This poster set is great for highlighting the friendships of children across ages and settings. Use these posters in your classroom for a lesson on diversity, inclusion, and collaborative play. Set of 12 posters. Measures 11"L x 17"W.
When I Grow Up Career Toddler Shirts - Set of 6
Item: 90212
Status: In Stock
$179.95
18 - 36 months. What do you want to be when you grow up? Children will pretend to be a race car driver, construction worker, zookeeper, pilot, astronaut, or veterinarian while wearing these detailed dress-up shirts in the dramatic play center. Each of the shirts have printed designs representing each occupation. Hook-and-loop closures allow children to practice dressing and undressing, encouraging independence. Promote an understanding of different careers in the classroom by encouraging dramatic play for toddlers with these fun, engaging costumes. Machine washable.
Community Helper Pre-School Dress-Up Shirts - Set of 6
Item: 90233
Status: In Stock
$139.95
3 years & up. What do you want to be when you grow up? This set includes many of the men and women you see in your city or town working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy. The community helper shirts have printed details and silk-screened accents that represent each career. The careers featured include a doctor, chef, mail carrier, construction worker, police officer, and firefighter. Each shirt opens in the front and has hook-and-loop closures. They would make a great addition to the dramatic play center and can also help establish dramatic play themes in the classroom. Machine washable.
When I Grow Up Career Preschool Shirts - Set of 6
Item: 90224
Status: In Stock
$149.95
3 - 5 years. What do you want to be when you grow up? This set of 6 pretend play career shirts includes an astronaut, veterinarian, race car driver, construction worker, zoo keeper, and pilot. Each shirt is designed with fun graphics, representing each of the careers. The 100% polyester shirts open in the front and have easy hook-and-loop fasteners. Perfect for the dramatic play center! Machine washable.
Walk in My Shoes Mat with Printable Activities and Teacher Guide
Item: 32938
Status: In Stock
$89.95
$49.95
3 years & up. Model and practice empathy with the Walk In My Shoes Mat, Teacher Guide and Activity Card(s). Provide children with the emotional tools they need as you demonstrate and practice appropriate responses about feelings and emotions. Children will learn to be more empathetic and appreciate how different people express their feelings when they step into their classmate's "shoes" and experience feelings from a new perspective. Features a printable teacher guide from social-emotional expert Dr. Angela Searcy. Mat measures 40"L x 60"W and rolls easily for storage.
Emotion-oes Board Game
Item: 62921
Status: In Stock
$15.95
4 years & up. Discuss a variety of emotions with this exciting Emotion-oes Board Game for Social Emotional Learning and Collaborative Play. This board game offers a new twist on the long beloved game of dominoes. Encourage children to match the cards as you discuss how to regulate the emotions. Learning games are a perfect tool for engaging children in the development of social skills. Includes 56 emotion-oes cards and resource guide.
Occupation Puppets - Set of 8
Item: 46167
Status: In Stock
$134.95
12 months & up. Inspire imaginative play and early learning with this Community Helpers Hand Puppet Set! Excellent for creative role-play, career exploration, and cultural awareness activities, these 8 soft puppets feature realistic outfits that represent familiar occupations. Children can act out real-world scenarios while learning about the important roles people play in their communities. <br /> Perfect for home and classrooms, this engaging puppet set encourages children to develop social-emotional, language, and communication skills through storytelling and cooperative play. An ideal addition to any dramatic play or career exploration learning center. Set includes: doctor, chef, firefighter, postal worker, construction worker, farmer, veterinarian, and police officer. Each puppet measures 12"L and is perfectly sized for little hands.
First Manners Board Books - Set of 4
Item: 62539
Status: In Stock
$34.96
12 months & up. Help your children learn their necessary manners with this set of exciting First Manners Board Books. Manners board books introduce toddlers to basic social skills and appropriate behaviors, such as saying "please" and "thank you," sharing, and taking turns. Through simple and engaging stories, toddlers learn what is considered polite behavior in various situations. These endearing characters use their manners in fun, cheerful books that help guide a child's first steps in learning the important phrases. By observing these characters, toddlers can learn to imitate their actions and apply them in real-life interactions with family, friends, and peers. Encourage your children to incorporate more manners into their daily lives.
Multi-Generation Block Family Play Set - Asian
Item: 95877
Status: In Stock
$34.95
3 years & up. Encourage role play and add realism to doll house activities. Promotes cognitive, motor, and social development while fostering meaningful connections between children, parents, grandparents, and older siblings. Helps with communication skills as children describe their creations and listen to family member's ideas. This multi-generational Asian family of 8 is made of solid vinyl, with realistic detailing. Each figure is free standing, with the tallest measuring 5"H.
Block Family Multi-Generation Play Set - Hispanic
Item: 95876
Status: In Stock
$34.95
3 years & up. Encourage role play and add realism to doll house activities. Promotes cognitive, motor, and social development while fostering meaningful connections between children, parents, grandparents, and older siblings. Helps with communication skills as children describe their creations and listen to family member's ideas. This multi-generational Hispanic family of 8 is made of solid vinyl, with realistic detailing. Each figure is free standing, with the tallest measuring 5"H.
Social Skills Board Games
Item: 91626
Status: In Stock
$49.95
Grades 1 - 5. Addressing morals, manners, empathy, friendship, showing and managing emotions, these games encourage discussion among children about proper social behavior as they strive to find the best solution to problems. These games cover socially challenging situations and together the group decides upon the best action. This encourages all players to communicate, listen and participate in the game. Set contains six game boards, 24 counters, one die, and one spinner.
DIY Operation Cooperation Camp Quilt - Pieces for 1 Quilt - 24 Pieces
Item: 200017
Status: In Stock
$37.95
Spark the imagination of your little artist with this fun, creative, and interactive quilt-making project! Includes 24 white poly/cotton 8" fabric squares with pre-cut holes for easy tying, and 96 pieces of 12" multicolor satin cording. Decorate quilt squares using fabric markers and paint before building the quilt for the best picture outcome.
Photo Cubes - Set of 2
Item: 39354
Status: In Stock
$89.95
Birth & up. Roll or toss these colorful Photo Cubes to children and see if they can recognize their friends and family. These wonderful cubes promote gross motor functions and facial recognition. Simply slip photos of familiar faces into the clear sleeves, and have children identify the people in the photo. For an extra activity, put print outs of shapes, animals, or numbers in the sleeves and have children identify those objects. Each cube holds up to 6 photos that measure 3.5" x 5". The overall size is 6" square. Surface washable.
Sensory Calming Technique Kit
Item: 35402
Status: In Stock
$55.95
3 years & up. Provide sensory motor stimulation and an opportunity to help children manage emotions, develop calming techniques for their mind and body, reduce anxiety and stressors. The items in the kit allow children to work and play independently and become resilient when met with a challenge. Includes hardback book, 1 sensory fidget stick, 2 glow sticks, Playfoam, 100 links, rainbow coil spring, 20 pop cubes, globe stress ball, and 2 poppers. Items may vary. The included book takes a look at different perspectives on giving and receiving hugs. It shows readers that there are different ways to think and react to every scenario. Styles and colors may vary.
Bullies, Victims, & Bystanders Board Game
Item: 91625
Status: In Stock
$49.95
Grades 2 & up. Encourage children to exchange negative behavior for positive choices in the Bullies, Victims, and Bystanders Board Game. As they take on the roles of bullies, victims, and bystanders in this board game children will learn empathy, skills to overcome and prevent bullying, and communication skills. This game offers a lighthearted way to start a tough discussion on the effects of bullying and the importance of treating peers with kindness. Use this board game in small groups or use the cards for large group discussions. The set contains one game board, 54 playing cards, six pawns, and a die.
Toddler Tools® Board Books - Set of 6
Item: 92941
Status: Only 14 left
$58.95
$55.95
18 months & up. Give toddlers the tools they need to become happy nappers, good listeners and more! Six board books feature rhythmic language and delightful illustrations to help little ones learn how to listen, share, clean up and more. Each book contains practical ideas for parents and caregivers.
Conversation Cubes
Item: 91583
Status: In Stock
$16.95
Grades 1 & up. Spark discussions on the first day and beyond. Colorful cubes feature 36 engaging questions about student experiences and perspectives, including: What are you most proud of? Who is the bravest person you know? and What foods do you like? Use in presenting character development activities; brainstorming before writing; and building oral language, social, and listening skills. Also supports fluency in ELLs and students with speech impairments. Includes activity guide. Soft foam cubes measure 1.625". Set of six.
Character Building Books - Set of 4
Item: 37470
Status: Out of Stock
$54.95
4 years & up. Beautiful real image pages help children understand the importance of being kind, confident, grateful and mindful. Through these books, children learn about empathy, kindness, honesty, integrity and other moral values. They learn to understand and appreciate the feelings, thoughts and experiences of others, which fosters compassion, tolerance and respect for diversity. These books are great for group read alouds for children who aren't reading on their own yet or solo reading for advanced readers. Set of 4. Paperback.
Community Workers 3" Tall - 8 Pieces
Item: 30824
Status: Out of Stock
$24.95
18 months & up. From a firefighter to a caring doctor, this set of eight community workers represents many of the occupations children see throughout their community. These figures are easy to grip and perfect for an interactive lesson about careers. Children will delight as they identify familiar faces from their community, some they may know personally. These Community Workers are the perfect way to have a conversation about children's future occupations all while promoting fine motor skills and dramatic play! The soft plastic figures measure 3"H. 8 pieces.
Friends & Neighbors: The Helping Game
Item: 63609
Status: Out of Stock
$23.95
3 years & up. Teach your children about the importance of compassion with this fun Friends & Neighbors: The Helping Game to Encourage Empathy and Cooperation. This matching game promotes working together and collaborative play. In playing the game and reading about the feelings and needs of the characters, children will begin to recognize feelings in others, the first step to building empathy. This game includes 4 game boards, tokens, a helping bag, a guide, and a story book. For 1-4 players.