Social Emotional Learning
Getting along with others requires an ongoing skill set. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a process of developing and applying skills to self-regulate emotions, empathize with others, set and attain goals, form and retain friendships, and make responsible decisions. Learning to self-regulate is a skill for life.
As parents and teachers, we can promote social emotional learning in young children through self-awareness strategies. Focusing on the wellbeing and social growth guides children in relating to others’ perspectives. Skill building tools to connect feelings, needs, and actions equip children to create healthy connections with other adults and children. Being able to express and manage emotions is one of the greatest predictors of later academic and social success.
Tips to Develop Self-Regulation Skills in Young Children
- Tune in to your child (verbal and non-verbal communication).
- Name and validate feelings using emotional vocabulary including words that express a wide variety of emotions (frustrated, confused, generous, impatient, overwhelmed, content, etc.). Help your child recognize and name underlying feelings.
- Help children understand that feelings are responses. Teaching children about cause and effect will assist in understanding feelings are reactions. And feelings can change. After identifying an emotion, follow up with, “How can I help you?” This response aids the child in determining what is needed to make the situation better.
- Most children’s books provide a variety of emotions. When reading, ask your child to identify how the character is feeling and what is needed to improve the situation.
Kindness is the goal. Empathy, compassion, and respect for others are relationship builders. We want our children to have good friends and be a good friend. We can help children learn positive relational skills by being good role models and assisting them in regulating emotions and responses. Really, social emotional learning is for everybody!
Therefore, as God’s chosen people,
holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
© 2021 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
If this post is encouraging, please take a moment to subscribe to the Faith First Parent e-newsletter or share the post with a friend.
Related Posts
How to Handle Big Emotions in Little Kids
Dealing with Anger and Anxiety
Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash