Parental Guidance: Social Emotional Learning Strategies

Welcome to the Parental Guidance page of Social Emotional Learning! Here, we provide valuable information and strategies for parents to support their child's social and emotional development at home. Explore our social emotional learning strategies for the stages-toddlerhood, early childhood, and middle childhood.

Strategies for Toddlers (1-3 years)

Toddlers are learning to navigate their emotions and communicate effectively. Parents can support their child's social and emotional growth by teaching them how to identify and express their feelings, practice empathy, and manage frustration in a healthy way. Consistent routines and positive reinforcement can also promote positive behavior.

Other activities encouraging social and emotional growth:

  • Songs are a great way to help toddlers express their emotions. They can also help toddlers learn about rhythm and rhyme, which can help develop language skills. Some of the best songs for social-emotional development are:
    • “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
    • “Thank You” by The Okee Dokee Brothers
    • “Feel What You Feel” by Lisa Loeb
  • Games help toddlers to learn about cooperation and turn-taking. Games can also support toddlers in practicing self-control and managing emotions. Fun games for your toddler could be:
    • Jenga
    • Candy Land
    • Musical Chairs
  • Stories can help with building empathy and understanding the perspective of others. There are a few influential books we like for social-emotional development:
    • “I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day” by Jamie Lee Curtis
    • “Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon” by David Catrow
    • “How Full Is Your Bucket?” by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer
  • Freeze dance - helps teach children self-regulation (Pmh-C, 2022)

 

Strategies for Early Childhood (3-5 years)

In the early childhood stage children are developing foundational skills to manage emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions. Parents can play an essential role in supporting this development at home. Here are some SEL strategies that parents can use with their children:

  • Create a feelings collage - Have your child find and cut out pictures or words in old magazines that represent their feelings. They can use these images to create an emotions collage.
  • Plant seeds - Growing plants teaches children patience, responsibility, and compassion for living things.
  • Mindful breathing exercises
  • Games - like Jenga and Candy Land
  • Artwork - Painting and other artwork is a great way for children to express themselves
  • Include children in activities like cooking (LeVos, 2024)

Strategies for Middle Childhood (6-12 years)

In the middle childhood stage, children are developing a greater sense of self-awareness and social skills. Parents can help their child build resilience, problem-solving skills, and positive relationships with peers through open communication, active listening, and modeling positive behaviors. 

Other activities encouraging social and emotional growth:

  • Have children list traits about themselves and have then draw a picture
  • Journals are a good way for children to write down their thoughts, feelings, and events. Younger children can draw pictures while older children can write. 
  • Have child set daily goals
  • Practice positive self-talk (I am strong)
  • Board games
  • Create a vision board - help children create a board that reflects their dreams and goals (LeVos, 2024)