Supporting Healthy Social-Emotional Development in the Early Years

The early years of a child’s life set the foundation for their emotional health and overall well-being. During this critical period of early childhood development, young children begin to form relationships, express and regulate emotions, and explore the world around them—all within the context of their families, caregivers, and communities. High-quality child care environments and supportive early experiences play a key role in fostering these essential skills, shaping how children navigate social interactions and build positive behaviors.

Research consistently shows that strong emotional skills in early childhood are linked to long-term benefits, including mental health, academic success, and positive relationships. By understanding the stages of emotional development and implementing strategies to nurture these skills, early childhood educators can create supportive environments that help children thrive—setting them on a lifelong path toward confidence, empathy, and healthy relationships.

What Is Social-Emotional Development?

Social-emotional development refers to a child’s ability to:

• Form secure and positive relationships with adults and peers
• Recognize and regulate emotions
• Express needs and feelings in appropriate ways
• Develop empathy and an understanding of others
• Explore and engage with their surroundings with confidence

Why Is Social-Emotional Development Critical in the Early Years?

The first six years of life are a period of rapid brain development. Research indicates that children develop social and emotional competencies in predictable stages, with early experiences shaping the neural pathways responsible for emotional regulation, attachment, and social behaviors.

A strong foundation in emotional skills and social development contributes to:

• School readiness – Children with strong social-emotional skills are better prepared for learning, classroom interactions, and transitions.
• Mental health – Early emotional well-being reduces the risk of anxiety, depression, and behavioural challenges later in life.
• Resilience – Learning to navigate emotions and social situations helps children manage stress and adapt to new environments.
• Positive relationships – Early attachment and interaction experiences influence how children form relationships throughout their lives.

Stages of Social-Emotional Development in Early Childhood

Understanding the typical milestones of emotional development can help educators and caregivers support young children effectively.

Infancy (Birth to 12 Months)

• Birth to 2 months: Infants begin forming bonds by recognizing familiar voices and responding to caregiver interactions. Social smiling emerges as a critical milestone.
• 2 to 4 months: Infants develop trust and self-soothing skills through predictable routines and responsive caregiving.
• 4 to 6 months: Infants engage in vocal turn-taking and begin expressing emotions such as joy and frustration.
• 6 to 12 months: Attachment deepens as infants seek comfort and exhibit stranger anxiety. Joint attention skills emerge, helping them follow a caregiver’s gaze and engage in shared experiences with caregivers and family members.

Toddlerhood (12 to 36 Months)

• 12 to 18 months: Children begin more interactive play, showing early empathy by reacting to the emotions of others. They communicate using gestures and simple words.
• 18 to 24 months: Autonomy develops as toddlers assert independence, express emotions more distinctly, and engage in parallel play. They begin using words like “mine” and “no” to assert control.
• 24 to 36 months: Pretend play emerges, fostering creativity and emotional expression. Children develop early social problem-solving skills and practice basic turn-taking.

Preschool Years (3 to 5 Years)

• 3 years: Children play cooperatively with peers, engage in imaginative play, and demonstrate early conflict-resolution skills. They start understanding and expressing a wider range of emotions.
• 4 years: Emotional regulation improves as children practice impulse control and learn to differentiate between real and imaginary fears. They engage in more complex social interactions, showing a deeper understanding of empathy.
• 5 years: Young children refine their ability to follow rules, express gratitude, and apologize. They seek peer approval and become more aware of social dynamics and appropriate behaviors.

Strategies to Support Social-Emotional Development in Early Learning

1. Build Secure Relationships

Young children thrive in environments where they feel safe and valued. Educators and caregivers can foster trust by:

• Responding consistently and sensitively to children’s needs
• Encouraging open communication and active listening
• Creating predictable routines that help children feel secure

2. Teach Emotional Literacy

Helping children recognize, name, and express their emotions is key to emotional development. Strategies include:

• Reading books about emotions and discussing character feelings
• Using an emotion chart to help children identify how they feel
• Modeling appropriate emotional expressions and responses

3. Encourage Positive Social Interactions

Children develop social skills through daily interactions. Educators can:

• Promote cooperative activities that require sharing and teamwork
• Encourage independent decision-making and problem-solving discussions when conflicts arise
• Celebrate acts of kindness to reinforce prosocial behaviours

4. Introduce Self-Regulation Techniques

Teaching young children how to manage their emotions helps them navigate challenges. Useful strategies include:

• Breathing exercises or mindfulness activities for calming down
• A designated “calm-down corner” in the classroom

5. Integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into the Curriculum

In a Lillio webinar with Dr. Lorea Martinez, she shared her HEART Method and how it provides a framework for supporting SEL in early childhood settings:

• H – Honor emotions: Help children identify and label their feelings.
• E – Elect their responses: Teach and model strategies for managing emotions before reacting.
• A – Apply empathy: Foster discussions about how others feel.
• R – Reignite relationships: Encourage positive social connections.
• T – Transform with purpose: Help children find meaningful ways to contribute to their classroom community.

6. Provide Play-Based Opportunities

Play is a critical component of early childhood development and a powerful tool for fostering emotional health. Research shows that when children engage in play-based learning experiences, they are more likely to develop essential social and emotional skills. Through play, children have the freedom to express their emotions, helping them understand and regulate their feelings in a natural, supportive setting.

Activities like role-playing, puppetry, and cooperative games help young learners navigate social interactions, build empathy, and recognize emotions in others. These forms of play create a safe and imaginative space for children to express their feelings and reenact real-life situations they observe, such as interactions with parents, caregivers, or teachers. By modeling the behaviours and responses of the adults around them, children deepen their understanding of social dynamics and develop essential emotional regulation skills. In classroom and child care settings, these experiences lay the foundation for emotional resilience, problem-solving, and positive relationships. By integrating both structured and open-ended play into daily routines, early childhood educators and caregivers can create meaningful opportunities for children to build the skills needed for lifelong emotional well-being.

7. Support Family Engagement

Caregivers and family members play a crucial role in reinforcing emotional skills at home. Educators can:

• Share resources on social-emotional development with families
• Provide strategies for handling challenging behavior, sibling conflicts, and big emotional reactions.
• Encourage families to establish consistent routines that promote security and independence

The Role of Educators in Fostering Emotional Development

Child care providers are instrumental in shaping a child’s mental health and emotional growth. By integrating SEL strategies into daily routines, creating a nurturing environment, and modeling positive interactions, they can help children build the resilience, self-esteem and social competence needed for lifelong success.

As research continues to emphasize the importance of early childhood social-emotional learning, investing in high-quality SEL programs becomes even more critical. By prioritizing these skills from the start, we ensure that young children are not only prepared for school but also equipped to navigate the complexities of relationships, emotions, and personal growth throughout their lives.

Further Your Learning with Lillio Academy

For educators seeking to deepen their understanding of social-emotional development in early childhood, Lillio Academy offers insightful courses, including: 

• Cultivating Emotion Regulation
• Feeling your Feelings: Emotional Development 
• Understanding Children’s Friendships

Whether you’re exploring these concepts for the first time or looking to refine your skills, these courses provide valuable tools for professional growth and enhancing your practice. Learn more here!