Development
Social and emotional development :
What ’ s it all about ?
Social-emotional development is complex and refers to a broad range of skills . Children need to be able to manage their feelings , follow limits and expectations , and take care of their own needs appropriately . Why is this important ? Children who have good self-regulation skills are better equipped to handle the academic demands of school . Children develop confidence when they learn to meet their own needs , which can motivate them to try new things .
What can you do at home ?
• Help children learn to calm themselves with deep breaths when they ’ re upset .
• Have clear rules for children ; tell them what they can do rather than what they can ’ t .
• Give children age-appropriate tasks to complete at home such as clearing dishes from the table or picking up toys .
The preschool classroom gives children the opportunity to practice these skills daily , and these are the goals we have for children ’ s development :
Three-year-olds :
• Know how to comfort self .
• Can follow directions ; manage routines with occasional reminders .
• Demonstrate confidence in meeting own needs .
Four-year-olds :
• Can make another choice when they are not able to do what they want .
• Manage rules , routines and transitions with minimal help from adults .
• Take responsibility for their own well-being .
Five-year-olds :
• Can control strong emotions a majority of the time .
• Can apply basic rules to new situations .
Another important social-emotional skill is the ability to solve social problems , which takes a lot of practice ! Why is this important ? Negotiation and compromise are important lifelong skills that can be taught in early childhood . Children learn critical problem-solving skills and build self-esteem when allowed the opportunity to solve social problems .
What can you do at home ?
• Encourage your child to think of and try solutions to social problems before offering your suggestions . “ What do you think we could do about that ?”
The preschool classroom gives children many opportunities to work on problem-solving with their same-age peers . These are the goals we have for children in preschool :
Three-year-olds :
• Seek adult help to resolve social problems .
Four-year-olds :
• Suggest solutions to social problems .
Five-year-olds :
• Resolve social problems by negotiating and / or comprising .
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14 Anoka-Hennepin Community Education I 763-506-1500