Family Resources for Supporting Social & Emotional Development at Home

Everyday SEL Strategies for Home

0-12 months- respond to cries and cues, this helps build trust, have a routine such as songs before bed and rocking, talk to your infant "I love that smile" "Theres a giggle"

1-3 years- Talk through emotions "oh you feel sad because your blocks fell?", offer choices "Do you want mac and cheese or spaghetti?", practice socio-emotional routines; deep breathing, counting to 10, or squeezing something

3-6 years old- encourage children to use words to express how they feel "I'm mad" I need help, please", use pretend play or read books pertaining to socio-emotional, practice problem-solving "first stop and breath, tell me what happened, we can fix it."

 

Infancy

Infants are not able to self-regulate on their own yet. Though there are signs that babies know how to self-regulate. For example, infants use pacifiers, thumb or finger sucking, feeding for comfort. These are ways infants naturally know how to self-regulate. When infants are swaddled or being rocked, it gives their bodies patterns to help self-regulate as they get older. Caregivers must respond to cries, parents and caregivers can all use sensory calming techniques like being rocked, soft singing, or even warm baths. 

An article by (Tatter, Grace 2019) has said for educators to be intentional, having a warm welcoming environment, create a warm classroom culture, to focus on relationships, make discipline supportive, recognizing students' success and to advocate a change on the school so students can be beneficial for all students.  

Toddlerhood

 This stage, toddlers are wanting more independence but do not know how to self-regulate their emotions or big feelings when they feel frustrated yet as they are still learning. That being said, they will still need help to calm down. When a child feels frustrated, sometimes their caregiver or parent gets frustrated. It is important for an adult to manage their emotions first before helping a toddler since they feed off of our emotions. We have to use oft voices, sit close to them, offering a hug. Caregiver and parents also need to teach breathing strategies that are developmentally appropriate; for example, smell the flower, blow out the candle, hugging a stuffed animal, squeezing a pillow, or having them hold out their hand and follow with their finger up and down counting to five.  

Early childhood 

For children ages 3-6 years old, it is important for them to use their words to express their emotions, for example, a child can say “I’m mad” or “I need help.” This can help ensure an adult to understand what they need. At this stage, children most likely can manage their emotions. Children are able to learn emotional language when it is being modeled. An adult can say "Oh, you look frustrated, do you need help?" Modeling emotions is a huge step for children; it will help them learn new ways as they get older. Adults can practice naming feelings together with their child by using books, or during imaginative play.