What is Socio-emotional development?
Every parent has a dream to see their kid grow into a mature, emotionally independent and resilient being in more ways than one. To achieve that, it is important to construct a stable foundation from the very beginning and that starts with Pre-schools! Find Preschools Near You
While it may be easier to help your kid develop physically, it may be equally daunting to develop appropriate social and emotional skills. So what is this socio-emotional development that every child needs at a nascent stage?
Child development has different domains under which a child grows and develops, of which social and emotional development is the most important. It is a gradual, integrative procedure through which kids begin to experience, understand, establish, express and manage their emotions in order to develop relationships with(and in) society. The social and emotional skills help them learn communication, problem-solving, confidence, anger, empathy, connect with peers and elders, and coping up with challenges among others. While family, caregivers, and relatives may have a major impact on a kid’s social and emotional development, preschools also play a vital role. Read more on Why your child needs a Preschool?
Early Childhood Domains of development
According to Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, kids who have a strong foundation of social and emotion literacy, may have more positive relationships with others. In fact, they tend to feel happier. They also perform well in academics. Socio-emotional development is one of the 6 development domains or building blocks on which the overall growth of a child depends upon. These domains are not only influenced by the parents, but also by the preschools (Find the Best Preschool for your child). These domains include:
The motor domain
The motor skills give kids the ability to make important movements and learn about different physical characteristics. The movements may include balance, hand-to-eye coordination. All of these can be assessed by the weight, height and overall physical health of the little one.
The sensory domain
Sensory skills deal with developing cognitive senses that include learning about action and reaction, ability to recognize and interpret sensory stimuli.
The cognitive domain
Cognitive skills include developing skills like attentiveness, memory skills, the capability to plan and execute, the capability to know the difference between imagination and reality, and the capability to process thoughts into reality.
The language domain
The language domain includes language development and effective communication capabilities that will have an impact on the social behaviors and skills. Language development skill also impacts the verbal ability.
The socio-emotional domain
Socio-emotional skills deal with the way the child creates connect with the world around them. It teaches them to understand moral values, self-control, social-interaction, the concept of emotional wellbeing, et al.
The personal domain
In the personal domain the child learns about self and builds awareness about concepts which may include self-esteem, meta-cognition, ethnic identity, sexual identity, et al.
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Socio-emotional Development: What will your preschooler learn?
Here are some important milestones that your little one will experience after beginning with a pre-school:
At around 3-4 years preschoolers will begin to :
- Express a range of emotions, which may include anger, joy, excitement, sadness, fear, and jealousy.
- Explore the world around them; also understand what others tell them.
- Understand the meaning of wrongdoings and will also apologize for their mistakes. Although you’d require to give them reminders.
- Understand the idea of sharing. But do not expect them to share their things all the time.
- Understand how to care and be kind and indulge in these two attributes.
- Adjust with other kids and learn to play with them, making it easy for them to stay at the preschool.
- ‘Pretend-and-play,’ as they are still understanding the concept of imagination and reality.
They may also throw some tantrums for not getting something they want; they are kids, you can’t expect them to be good all the time!
Hurdles in socio-emotional development
There are times when your child might not be able to learn what most kids their age may have achieved. This doesn’t mean they do not have a chance. You just need to recognize these red flags:
- Their transition between different routines may become more difficult. They may turn rigid about the new changes brought to them.
- They are not able to join the other children at the preschool.
- They are dependent on the parents or caregivers for everything.
- They are fearful of new changes in their everyday life. May throw tantrums every time.
At around 3-4 years preschoolers will begin to:
- Learn to express complex feelings including frustration, annoyance and embarrassment.
- Develop friendships and connect with others.
- Understand good and bad behavior.
- When guilty, embarrassed or frightened, they may hide their feelings. It is important to talk to them and understand what’s happening with them.
- Hide the truth about something if he/she feels guilty, embarrassed or frightened
- Manage strong emotions like anger, frustration, and disappointment.
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How Preschools help in Socio-Emotional Development?
After home, child takes a big step in the outer world in the form of preschool. Preschools help children flourish in a positive and trusting environment. This environment includes:
- Activities
- Daily routine/schedule
- Interaction between teachers and children
- Skill developing games
Here’s how preschools help in socio-emotional development:
- Early education in terms of preschooling may help develop better skills.
- Preschools help widen the child’s interaction, with people other than their parents and caregivers.
- They help befriend kids and help them learn sharing and caring amongst each other.
- The child begins to be a part of the bigger community that involves not just their parents, but also their friends, teachers and other people in the preschool.
- Preschools help the kids come out of their comfort zone and interact, share, play, ideate and execute with others in the preschool.
- Preschools help open up to expressing their feelings; ranging from anger, fear, hurt, happiness, excitement, etc. Children are not open to talking about their feelings to anyone except their parents, so preschools help them open up.
- Disagreement may happen amongst your child and her classmates; however, teachers in the preschool will help them resolve those. This inculcates an understanding among them, the need to share things, and how to keep harmony amongst each other.
- Teachers will constantly help in facilitating your child’s holistic growth and development through fun activities, games, dramatization, et al.
Preschool activities that will cater to Socio-Emotional Development of your child
- Story time
- Songs
- Rhymes
- Puppet activities
- Dramatization
- Sports
- Festivals and birthdays
- Group & Team games
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While you, as a parent, may help your little one learn these important skills, preschool helps set and strengthen the foundation for your kid to understand the outside world and mingle freely in society.
Check out these 10 TIPS TO MAKE AN EASIER SELECTION WHEN IT COMES TO A PRESCHOOL.