GROW - Baby To Pre-K
How to Support Your Child’s Social-Emotional Development — From Baby to Pre-K
Helping your child grow socially and emotionally might sound like a big job, but the good news is, you’re probably already doing it every single day.
Social-emotional development is all about how kids learn to understand their feelings, build relationships, and manage big emotions — things like taking turns, saying how they feel, or asking for help instead of hitting. These are some of the most important skills your child can have before starting kindergarten!
At BEA, our teachers support children’s emotional growth every day in the classroom, and you can do the same at home with simple, loving routines and conversations. Here’s how to support your child’s social-emotional development at each age.
Here are 10 simple, helpful strategies to help your child feel confident and excited about starting school.
Babies (0–12 Months)
Your baby is just beginning to learn how the world works — and they’re learning through you. Every time you smile back, snuggle them close, or respond to their cries, you’re helping them feel safe and loved.
What teachers do:
- Smile and talk back when babies coo or babble
- Gently label their emotions (e.g. “You’re smiling — are you feeling happy?”)
- Comfort them when they cry and spend time holding or rocking them
- Let them safely watch or interact with other babies
How you can help at home:
Try using simple, loving phrases like:
- I love you.
- I’m here.
- I see you’re tired. Let’s rest.
- These are big feelings. Let’s snuggle.
Even just saying how they feel out loud helps babies learn the language of emotions.
Toddlers (1–3 Years)
Toddlers are learning to handle big feelings — sometimes without having the words to explain them. It’s totally normal for this age to include tantrums, yelling, and lots of learning through trial and error.
What teachers do:
- Name and validate emotions (e.g. “You’re upset. That’s okay.”)
- Show kindness and model comforting behaviors
- Offer words toddlers can use instead of hitting or grabbing
- Provide chances for toddlers to play with other kids
- Use books and pictures to show different feelings
- Encourage independence — like putting on a coat or helping clean up
What you can say at home:
- It’s okay to be sad.
- That was scary, huh? I’m here.
- You are mad, but we don’t hit. What else can we do?
- I hear you. That’s really hard for you.
- Hands are for hugging, not hitting.
These phrases show your child that you understand and that their feelings matter — even when they’re still learning how to deal with them.
Preschoolers & Pre-K (3–5 Years)
At this stage, kids start making more friendships, solving problems, and learning to control their impulses — but they still need help naming emotions and calming down when things get tough.
What teachers do:
- Read books about feelings
- Model calm behavior and help kids talk about emotions
- Encourage choices and give classroom jobs to build independence
- Help kids solve conflicts with words
- Play games like Red Light, Green Light to teach self-control
- Encourage friendships and working together
What you can say at home:
- I’m listening.
- Let’s take a deep breath together.
- Would you like my help or do you want to try on your own?
- Tell me how that made you feel.
- Can we try again and start over?
- We all feel frustrated sometimes.
- Let’s figure this out together.
Preschoolers are full of big ideas and even bigger emotions. Giving them tools to handle those emotions in a kind, calm way helps them build the confidence to be great friends, learners, and problem-solvers.
BUILDING EMATIONAL SUPERPOWERS
You’re Already Helping!
Social-emotional growth doesn’t require fancy toys or long lessons — it comes from the everyday moments when your child feels heard, loved, and safe. Whether you’re rocking a sleepy baby, comforting a cranky toddler, or helping your preschooler take a deep breath, you’re building their emotional superpowers.
And if you’re looking for a nurturing space where your child can continue to grow emotionally and socially, Day Early Learning is here for you. Our classrooms are filled with love, learning, and support for every stage of childhood.
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Cynthia Cherry
Owner • Administrator of Instruction
Kimberle Evans
Owner • Administrator of Business
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Kindergarten is full of new faces and feelings. Help your child learn how to:
- Make friends by taking turns and sharing
- Talk about their feelings (“I feel sad,” “I’m excited!”)
- Play pretend to explore emotions and practice empathy
Understanding their feelings (and other people’s!) makes it easier to settle into a classroom community. Let’s talk about what your child needs.