Socrates said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” Child development experts undoubtedly agree: They’ve expanded this basic concept into an entire field of study known as social- (or socio-) emotional development. The results of this research have revolutionized early childhood education.
What is Social-Emotional Development?
For a simple understanding of what social-emotional development is and how it manifests, a division of the California Department of Education (CDE) that focuses on early childhood provides a good introduction. Read it below:
Social-emotional development includes the child’s experience, expression, and management of emotions and the ability to establish positive and rewarding relationships with others. It encompasses both intra- and interpersonal processes.
The core features of emotional development include the ability to identify and understand one’s own feelings, to accurately read and comprehend emotional states in others, to manage strong emotions and their expression in a constructive manner, to regulate one’s own behavior, to develop empathy for others, and to establish and maintain relationships. Read more at California Department of Education…
Learning to identify and appropriately manage what are sometimes overwhelming feelings is one of the hardest challenges youngsters face. However, there can be no doubt that the results merit the struggle.
Importance of Social-Emotional Development
Each aspect of social-emotional development plays a critical role in children’s psychological growth. Plus, another significant benefit is revealed in the research paper from the CDE’s Early Learning and Care Division:
Young children who exhibit healthy social, emotional, and behavioral adjustment are more likely to have good academic performance in elementary school. The sharp distinction between cognition and emotion that has historically been made may be more of an artifact of scholarship than it is representative of the way these processes occur in the brain. This recent research strengthens the view that early childhood programs support later positive learning outcomes in all domains by maintaining a focus on the promotion of healthy social emotional development. Read more at California Department of Education…
Social-Emotional Development & Education
Since social-emotional development has a direct connection to educational success, advancing it in the classroom is becoming increasingly important at the best schools and preschools. More details can be found below:
Sometimes labeled as 21st century skills, soft skills, non-cognitive skills, or character attributes, SE [social-emotional] skills have been shown to be malleable and linked to academic, career, and life success. Based on this evidence, promoting these skills in young people has become a priority for both schools and afterschool settings. Read more at National Mentoring Resource Center…
At SPANISH FOR FUN!, we recognize the immense value of social-emotional development and promote it vigorously with our expert-approved teaching methods and programs. If you are looking for a preschool that will offer your child the social, emotional, and academic benefits discussed in this post, SPANISH FOR FUN! is your best option. We combine the loving care your child needs with Spanish language education, cultural learning and lots of fun.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of any of our four campuses, two are located in Raleigh, one is in Cary and the other is in Wake Forest. Call 919-881-1160 or complete the contact form on our website to set your appointment. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.
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