Parents often focus first on academics like letters, numbers, colors but the foundation for all learning actually begins with social and emotional development. At Big Hearts Little Hands, we know that when children feel secure, connected, and confident, their capacity for learning soars.
Social-Emotional Skills Are Foundational
According to Zero to Three, emotional development plays a critical role in a young child’s overall growth. A child’s ability to understand and manage emotions directly impacts how they learn, how they build relationships with others, and how they behave in everyday situations. When children feel emotionally supported and secure, they are better able to focus, explore, and engage meaningfully in their learning environment.
Social-emotional skills serve as the foundation for lifelong success. These skills include self-regulation and impulse control, empathy and caring for others, friendship and cooperation, and confidence and resilience. When children develop strong social-emotional skills early on, they are more prepared to navigate classroom expectations, form healthy peer relationships, and approach challenges with confidence supporting both academic achievement and positive social development.
How Childcare Supports Social Growth
In high-quality childcare, teachers model:
- Turn-taking
- Listening
- Positive conflict resolution
- Emotional language (“I see you’re upset”)
The CDC notes that positive early environments help children develop resilience and healthy emotional responses. At Big Hearts Little Hands, social interactions are woven into daily routines thoughtful play, small-group learning, circle time, and community activities help children develop strong emotional foundations.
What Social-Emotional Learning Looks Like in Everyday Moments
Here are examples of social-emotional learning in action:
- Conflict Resolution: Two children want the same toy. With guidance, they learn to take turns, express preferences, and problem-solve.
- Expressing Emotions: Children are encouraged to name feelings—“sad,” “happy,” “frustrated”—instead of acting them out.
- Empathy: When one child falls, others are invited to offer comfort or help. These aren’t “activities” — they’re real moments of growth.
- Partnering With Families: Children thrive when learning extends across home and childcare. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlights that family–provider communication supports positive outcomes. We partner with families through daily updates, parent newsletters, and teacher conversations. Together, we support each child’s emotional journey.
At Home and in the Classroom
You can nurture emotional skills at home too:
- Play cooperative games
- Talk about feelings during storytime
- Encourage sharing during snacks
When children feel understood and supported, they take healthy risks, try new experiences, and learn with confidence.
Schedule a tour and see how we support social and emotional growth every day.