Explore our range of services designed to support elementary school students with social and emotional needs.

Developmental Stages and Social/Emotional Milestones

  1. Infancy (0-2 years):
  • Milestones:
    • Developing trust through secure attachments.
    • Beginning to express a range of emotions.
  • Strategies:
    • Responsive caregiving to build trust.
    • Providing a safe and nurturing environment.
  1. Early Childhood (3-5 years):
  • Milestones:
    • Learning to share and take turns.
    • Developing empathy and understanding others' feelings.
  • Strategies:
    • Role-playing activities to practice sharing.
    • Reading stories that highlight empathy and discussing characters' feelings.

Self-Regulation: Definition and Examples

 Self-regulation is the ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations. It involves controlling impulses, managing stress, and setting goals.

Examples:

  • A student waits their turn to speak in class.
  • A child uses deep breathing techniques to calm down when upset.

Modeling and Encouraging Self-Regulation:

  • Teachers can model self-regulation by:
    • Demonstrating calm behavior in stressful situations.
    • Using "think-aloud" strategies to show how they manage their own emotions.
  • Encouraging self-regulation in students by:
    • Teaching mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
    • Setting clear expectations and providing consistent routines.

SEL Strategies for Families

Infancy:

  • Engage in responsive caregiving to build trust.
  • Create a safe and nurturing environment.

Early Childhood:

  • Encourage sharing and empathy through play.
  • Read stories that highlight social and emotional themes.

Positive early experiences, such as secure attachments with caregivers and stimulating environments, contribute to healthy social and emotional development. Conversely, adverse experiences can lead to challenges in emotional regulation and social interactions during adolescence.