Nurturing relationships help young children develop their social and emotional wellness which includes their ability to play with others, learn new things and experience emotions. As you bond with your students, they’ll learn social and emotional skills by watching the way you handle situations and use your emotions. Here are three things you can do on a daily basis to support the development of these skills in your preschoolers:
- Teach Students to Resolve Conflict in a Healthy Way
When children are in preschool, they’re beginning to develop an awareness of self and their brains may not be fully capable of understanding another child’s feelings. When a disagreement among two of your students emerge, try having both of the children discuss what they’re feeling in a calm way. Over time, this will help them understand that other children may have different views and that’s okay. - Encourage Pretend Play
Pretend play allows preschoolers to learn and understand how to appropriately respond to others feelings. By taking on other roles during play, they’re offered a perspective of the way another person might think. - Help Students Regulate Their Emotions
As your students are learning to regulate their emotions, they may need help or practice in developing appropriate behaviors. To help model healthy emotional self-management, talk to children in a calm and nurturing way no matter the situation. When children feel dysregulated, one of the most important things you can do is try to reconnect.