Early Childhood: 3-8 years
During early childhood, children become more independent and begin building stronger friendships. Social-emotional milestones include learning to share, take turns, follow simple rules, and play cooperatively with others. Children at this age may begin showing empathy, such as comforting a friend who is sad.
Early childhood children also start naming their emotions and using words to express feelings, although they may still need help managing frustration, anger, or disappointment. They begin developing confidence, imagination, and problem-solving skills through play. These milestones help children build positive relationships, self-control, and emotional awareness.
Children's Behavior
These milestones can affect children’s peer relationships, independence, regulation, and learning in the classroom. During early childhood, children are learning to share, take turns, and play cooperatively, which helps them build friendships with classmates. As they become more independent, they may want to complete tasks by themselves, make choices, and take on classroom responsibilities.
Children at this age are also still learning emotional regulation, so they may need support when they feel frustrated, angry, or disappointed. These skills can affect learning because children who can follow routines, manage emotions, and work with others are more likely to participate in activities, listen to directions, and stay engaged in the classroom.
Strategies or Activities For Teachers
1. Feelings Circle Time: Teachers can use emotion cards or pictures during circle time and ask children to identify feelings such as happy, sad, mad, scared, or excited. Children can share how they feel and practice using words to express emotions. This supports emotional awareness, communication, and self-regulation.
2. Friendship and Sharing Activity: Teachers can plan a partner activity, such as building with blocks, completing a puzzle, or taking turns with a toy. The teacher can model phrases like “Can I have a turn?” and “Thank you for sharing.” This helps children practice cooperation, patience, and positive peer relationships.
Strategies Families Can Use At Home
Families can support social emotional development at home by talking about emotions during everyday moments. For example, a parent can say, “I see you feel frustrated because your toy broke.” Then they can help the child use calm-down strategies, such as taking deep breaths, asking for help, or taking a short break.
Create Your Own Website With Webador