Especially in their earliest years, children develop social and emotional traits that will be with them throughout life. With your support, your child can have good self-esteem, positive behaviors, and overall healthy social and emotional development.
With healthy social and emotional development, children can:
- Play well with others and alone.
- Learn and enjoy learning.
- Communicate clearly.
- Face challenges and obstacles.
- Form satisfying, trusting relationships.
- Experience and handle a full range of emotions.
Young children develop these skills and characteristics through relationships. Strong, loving relationships give young children a sense of comfort, safety, and confidence. These relationships teach young children how to form friendships, communicate emotions, and deal with challenges.
Ways to support your child’s social and emotional development:
- Create an environment that is nurturing. Be affectionate!
- Develop routines that are regular, but also respond to your child’s needs when they come up.
- Provide safety and security – and encourage exploration at the same time.
- Encourage and support your child’s skills, even when the skills are just developing.
- Support your child to express his feelings, knowing that children will express differently based on their age.
- Be a role model of respect. Show appreciation of differences.
- Take care of yourself. You have social and emotional needs, too. When you are supported, you can better support your child!