Social development is about how children come to understand themselves in relation to other people,
how they make friends, understand the rules of society and behave towards others.
Emotional development is about how children understand their own and other’s feelings and develop
their ability to see things from another person’s point of view.
Supporting young children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development is all about:
●encouraging their self-confidence and self-awareness
● helping them to manage their feelings and behavior
● supporting them in building relationships with other people.
Building your child’s self-confidence and self-awareness
To help your child learn how to manage their feelings and behavior you will need to provide lots of
opportunities for them to:
● develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings
● understand how to behave as a member of a group.
You could use the ideas below as starting points to help you do this.
Under twos
● When you talk to your baby, leave time for him to respond so he knows how interesting he is.
● Pay attention to what your child is interested in so you can offer new experiences you think she might enjoy.
● Make faces at your baby and watch for a response. Name the parts of your face as you do this.
● Place a mirror next to the changing mat or cot so your baby can see himself easily.
● At mealtimes, give your child a selection of finger foods so he can choose what he wants to eat.
● Encourage your toddler to enjoy new experiences like walking barefoot on damp grass.
● Encourage your toddler to try to do things for himself, such as putting on socks or shoes.
Two- to three-year-old's
● Choose clothes, shoes and coats that are easy for your child to put on and take off.
● Help your child to make simple choices, such as about the food she eats or the clothes she wears.
● Be interested in what your child has to say.
● Involve your child in simple decisions about what happens during the day so she sees that her opinions matter.
● When your child is learning new skills, give her plenty of time to practice.
● Help your child to see the importance of putting effort into trying to do things – even if they don’t work out
perfectly every time.
● Don’t compare your child with others – celebrate what he can do, not what he can’t do.
Four- to five-year-old's
● Help your child to develop the language she needs to express herself clearly.
● Be aware of what interests your child – fairies, superheroes, dinosaurs, etc.
● Try to give your child lots of opportunities to explore the world of nature – in the garden, the park, the woods,
or on the beach.
● Be enthusiastic about rain, mud, worms and spiders – your child will pick up her attitude to the world from you.
● Praise your child for learning new skills such as using scissors or tying laces.
● Avoid the temptation to do things for your child all the time – you won’t always be there to help.
● You can help your child to have a positive attitude to the world by providing a secure, loving home environment.
