Social-Emotional Development

By: Julie English

What is social-emotional development?
Social-emotional development is the knowledge and skills needed to recognize and self-
regulate feelings and the strategies for interacting positively with others. The components of
social and emotional development include emotional self-regulation and self-awareness, social
knowledge and understanding, social skills and social temperaments. Gaining social-emotional
development skills is a primary developmental task in the first five years of life that shapes who
a child will become. This area of development affects all areas of behavior. The best way to help
children learn is to provide warm emotional security and, positive social experiences. Research
shows that students who learn social-emotional skills do better academically and have more
positive attitudes.

For social and emotional development the central role is the adults who create a warm and
caring environment. Teachers work with family members to assist in creating an effective
transition into school. By establishing a supportive environment, teachers can help children
discover who they are and create the meaningful social relationships.
Classroom practices to promote social-emotional development
Implementing predictable schedules, routines and transitions
Modeling and coaching positive behavior, and how to regulate emotions.
Name or label childrens emotions as well as the emotions that the teacher has.
Call attention to the feelings of others and comment on the emotions children express
throughout the day. Incorporating discussions about feelings into daily events.
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Research has found that children raised by parents who value and guide emotions do better in
many ways. Children form stronger friendships, do better in school, handle their emotions
better, have fewer negative emotions, and bounce back from emotional events more quickly.
The Talaris Research Institute brings forth the emotion coaching style that helps parents guide
emotions. Emotion coaching helps children learn how to handle their emotions in a positive way.
How to become an emotion coach
Be aware of the childs emotions. Listen to children during play for clues to what is
making them scared, happy, frustrated, proud, or anxious.
Connect. Let children know that their feelings are ok, and offer guidance on how to
handle their emotions.
Listen with empathy. Take the childs emotions seriously.
Help the child name emotions. Try to help the child identify the emotions they are feeling,
instead of telling them what they should be feeling.
Set limits and find solutions. When children misbehave, use it as a time to teach by
helping them understand their emotions. Set goals and think about solutions on how to
reach goals.

References:
Epstein, A. An overview of child development and teaching practices. In Me, You, Us; Social-Emotional
Learning In Preschool. (pgs. 17-21).. Ypsilanti, MI: Highscope press.
Epstein, A. The importance of social-emotional learning. In Me, You, Us; Social-Emotional Learning In
Preschool. (pgs. 4, 10). Ypsilanti, MI: Highscope press.
Epstein, A. Recoginzing and labeling emotions. In Me, You, Us; Social-Emotional Learning In Preschool.
(pgs. 60-65). Ypsilanti, MI: Highscope press.
Talaris Research Institute. Becoming an emotion coach. In What Am I Feeling? Feeling our emotions.