Definition: Social-emotional development encompasses children’s growing abilities to experience and express emotions, develop relationships, understand themselves and others, participate in social interactions, and gradually regulate emotions and behavior.
The social and emotional aspects of development are closely connected. CDC includes social/emotional development as one of its major developmental milestone categories.
Why Social-Emotional Development Matters in Childcare
Many everyday childcare experiences involve social-emotional learning: separating from a caregiver, joining play, waiting, sharing, experiencing frustration, forming friendships, solving disagreements, and celebrating accomplishments.
Responsive relationships and predictable environments can provide an important context for developing these abilities.
Example in a Childcare Setting
A child notices that another child is upset, brings over a favorite toy, and then invites the child to play. The interaction involves social awareness, communication, relationship skills, and emotional responsiveness.
Related Terms
Emotional development, social development, self-regulation, attachment, peer interaction, cooperative play, communication skills.
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