Supporting Social and Emotional Development in Young Children

/ Benefits of Childcare / By

Social and emotional development lays the foundation for all future learning. Before children can succeed academically, they must learn how to understand emotions, communicate needs, and build healthy relationships.

At Schoolhouse Learning Center, nurturing social-emotional skills is at the heart of our daily routines at each of our three locations.

Why Social-Emotional Skills Matter

Strong social and emotional skills help children:

    • Communicate needs

 

  • Manage frustration
  • Build empathy
  • Navigate social interactions

According to Zero to Three, early emotional development strongly influences future behavior and learning success.  Children who feel understood and supported are more likely to take healthy risks and engage deeply with learning.

How Childcare Supports Emotional Growth

High-quality childcare provides:

  • Warm, responsive teachers
  • Predictable routines
  • Guided peer interactions
  • Reinforcement of positive behavior

The CDC notes that nurturing early environments help children build resilience and emotional regulation.  At Schoolhouse Learning Center, teachers use daily interactions to help children identify feelings, solve conflicts, and build positive friendships whether at the North, South, or East center.

Real Examples of Social-Emotional Growth

  • Conflict Resolution: Two children want the same toy. Teachers guide them to use words, take turns, and solve problems constructively.
  • Emotional Language: Instead of scolding, teachers help children name their emotions — “I see you’re upset” building vocabulary and self-understanding.
  • Group Activities: Collaborative play builds negotiation, patience, and teamwork.

These skills set children up for success in school and life.

Partnering With Families

Children thrive when home and school work together.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes family–provider communication as a key support for development.  At Schoolhouse Learning Center, we share classroom insights, milestones, and strategies with families so social growth continues across environments.

Tips for Home Support

Parents can help children build social-emotional skills by:

  • Reading books about feelings
  • Encouraging independence in choices
  • Modeling calm discussions
  • Encouraging empathy

These practices reinforce skills learned in childcare.

Schedule a tour to see how we nurture emotional growth at all three locations!