When most people think of preschool, they often picture children learning their ABCs or counting blocks. While academic skills are important, social-emotional learning (SEL) is actually the heart of early childhood development. Helping children understand their feelings, build relationships, and navigate challenges sets the stage for success in school—and life.

Why are social-emotional skills so important?
Young children are just beginning to identify emotions like happiness, anger, sadness, and frustration. Learning to recognize and express these feelings in healthy ways helps prevent tantrums and promotes cooperation. Kids who develop strong SEL skills are better able to make friends, solve conflicts, and manage stress.

Research shows children with solid social-emotional foundations do better academically, have higher self-esteem, and show greater resilience in the face of challenges.

How do preschools support social-emotional learning?
Preschool classrooms are full of opportunities to practice these skills every day. Teachers help children:

• Name their feelings through stories and conversations
• Share and take turns during group play
• Use words instead of actions to express frustration
• Develop empathy by understanding how others feel
• Learn calming strategies like deep breathing or quiet time

Activities like role-playing, reading books about emotions, and guided group discussions give children tools to handle their feelings constructively.

Tips for parents to nurture social-emotional growth:

• Talk openly about emotions at home. For example, “I can see you’re upset. Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”
• Model healthy ways to handle frustration, such as taking a deep breath or counting to ten.
• Encourage cooperative play and sharing with siblings or friends.
• Praise efforts to solve problems peacefully.
• Create routines that provide a sense of security and predictability.

Why it matters beyond preschool:
Mastering social-emotional skills early helps children develop confidence and self-control. These skills reduce anxiety and improve communication, setting children up for happier relationships and academic success. When parents and teachers work together to support SEL, children thrive both in the classroom and at home.