PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF KIDS

This area of learning is of the utmost importance for young children in all aspects of their lives. It is about children’s emotional well-being, them understanding who they are, respecting others and their environment, forming and sustaining relationships, beginning to understand emotions and about developing positive dispositions to learn. Good personal, social and emotional development gives children the best opportunity for success in other areas of learning.

Upon entering pre-school education, children bring with them a variety of personal and social skills, values and attitudes. They acquire these relationships and experiences within the home and the immediate environment. It is important that these are recognized. Children should be given the time that they need to settle into their new surroundings. It is important that, at this stage, staff establish good relationships with both the children and their parents.

Help children gain confidence in what they do. This can be achieved through simple gestures like allowing them to make choices and help each other; encouraging them to organise their own play, including tidying up; giving them independence at snack time; and having them put on their own coats. Fostering confidence and self-esteem in children will help them to feel valued as individuals and develop independence. Pre-school staff can also help children progress by nurturing their motivation, perseverance, curiosity and creativity; encouraging them to problem solve; and by giving them time for reflection.

Children are individuals in their own right and have their own personalities. They have their own likes and dislikes. Some are timid while others are extroverted. Some are protective and at other times aggressive; some prefer to lead, others to follow. Young children also have difficulty understanding their feelings and the needs and feelings of others.

Staff can help children understand these difficult concepts by having them take part in role-play, listen to stories and by introducing them to different emotions using puppets or pictures. Through activities like these, and as friendships between particular children develop, they will become aware of both their needs and feelings and those of others. Finally, the staff’s actions and words should reflect a sense of caring, giving children encouragement and positive reinforcement as they play, interact with others and try to behave appropriately.