As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. You’re there for their first boo-boo, tantrum, and their stream of constant “but why”s. It’s no secret that we want our children to grow into kind, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent adults…but how do we guide them along the way?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to the process in which children develop the ability to understand, express, and manage the social and emotional parts of their world. SEL teaches successful management of everyday tasks – learning, building positive relationships, solving problems, and not only understanding but also managing emotions.

SEL competencies develop over time. There is a developmental progression from birth through adulthood where skills, knowledge, and attitudes are learned. As we grow, we are cognitively and emotionally able to adapt and apply this learning. The important thing to remember is that although the development of certain skills develops in specific age ranges, children are different from each other, as are their experiences. 

There are many ways to introduce SEL into your home, from planning a family goal together to actively going out into the community and helping those around you. It’s important to remember that children learn through watching and listening to those around them. Practice how you approach and respond to situations to show them how exactly it is best to handle emotional situations.

If you’re interested in getting your child’s school involved in SEL through Moshi (it’s free for teachers!), visit our website at https://www.moshikids.com/moshi-for-schools/.

Alyssa Morgan