Starting school is an exciting milestone in a child’s life, however it often comes with anxiety for parents and/or child. What can we do to set children up for success in school right from the start? It might not be what you think. Parents often worry about whether children know the letters of the alphabet, colors, shapes and how to print their name.
Social-emotional development is actually more indicative of school success than academics. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to nurture social-emotional readiness skills that will prepare your little one for this new adventure and throughout life.
Developing emotional awareness in young children provides a strong foundation that can greatly support their transition to school. When children have a solid understanding of their emotions, they are better equipped to handle the challenges and social interactions they encounter in the school environment.
By recognizing and expressing their emotions effectively, they can communicate their needs to teachers and peers, fostering positive relationships and reducing conflicts.
Emotional awareness also helps children navigate the ups and downs of the learning process. They become more attuned to their strengths and areas for growth, allowing them to seek help when needed and approach learning with a growth mindset.
Additionally, emotional awareness enables children to regulate their emotions, promoting focus and concentration in the classroom. They can manage stress, anxiety, or frustration, leading to improved emotional well-being and overall academic performance.
By nurturing emotional awareness before starting school, children gain valuable skills that contribute to their social and academic success throughout their educational journey.
To Foster Social-Emotional Readiness;
1. Create a Safe Space for All Feelings
Create a safe and supportive environment where children feel comfortable expressing and exploring their emotions. Avoid labeling emotions as good or bad. When children have intense emotions, be a calm presence. This gives children the important message that their feelings are okay and you are there to support them.
2. Acknowledge and Validate All Feelings
Encourage open communication by actively listening to their feelings and validating their experience. When big feelings come out in behavior, respond to the reason behind the behavior by acknowledging and validating their feelings.
3. Teach Emotion Literacy
Teach them about different emotions and their corresponding physical sensations, helping them develop a vocabulary to articulate feelings. Having the words to express an emotion can help to regulate difficult emotions. Dan Seigel calls this Name It to Tame It.
4. Engage Children in Problem Solving
Encourage children to solve their own problems. Our natural inclination is to jump in and solve problems for them, but engaging children in problem solving nurtures competence and confidence. Problem solving enhances children's social skills as they are better able to work through conflicts or issues with peers.
To read more about problem solving with children, 5 Steps of Conflict Resolution
5. Model Emotional Regulation
Model healthy emotional expression by managing your own emotions in a constructive manner, demonstrating empathy and understanding. Talk about and show children what you do when you feel dysregulated. For example, “I am feeling frustrated, I am going to take a walk.”
Teach children appropriate ways to cope with difficult emotions like deep breathing, movement or taking a break.
Conclusion
By nurturing emotional awareness from an early age, we not only set them up for success at school but empower children to navigate their emotions with confidence and develop healthier relationships throughout their lives. Emotional awareness, emotional regulation and problem solving promote resilience and well-being throughout the lifespan.
For more about Child and Parent Resilience, subscribe at www.rmcouse.ca.
~ R.M. Couse ~
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