<![CDATA[Emotional independence is a crucial aspect of early childhood development and requires optimal facilitation. This study examines the development of emotional independence in young children within group play activities through a library research approach, analyzing journals, books, and scholarly articles published between 2021 and 2025. The findings indicate that group play contributes significantly to children’s emotional independence through three main aspects: (1) the ability to manage one’s own emotions, (2) the ability to empathize with and understand the feelings of others, and (3) the ability to make independent decisions in social situations. Group play gives children opportunities to practice emotion regulation, resolve peer conflicts, and build self-confidence through meaningful social interaction. The synthesis also identifies supporting factors (teacher emotional coaching, peer relationship quality, inclusive play design, and parental involvement) and inhibiting factors (overprotection, excessive screen time, unresponsive environments, and limited facilities). The implications encourage educators and parents to design structured, inclusive group play activities that respond holistically to children’s emotional needs, particularly in Islamic Early Childhood Education.]]>
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