“The term social emotional development refers to the developing capacity of the child from birth through five years of age to form close and secure adult and peer relationships; experience, regulate, and express emotions in socially and culturally appropriate ways; and explore the environment and learn – all in the context of family, community, and culture.” - CSEFEL
Why Focus on Social Emotional Development?
It not only impacts all other areas of growth and development, it is the foundation upon which all future development is built.
What caregivers share with & give children today, they will carry inside themselves forever.
Sets the “playing field” for school readiness & lifelong success. Children who have healthy social emotional skills tend to learn better, are more likely to stay in school & will be better able to make & keep lifelong friends.
We Teach
Behavior is how children communicate their needs
Children often develop coping skills that may be interpreted as challenging behavior
It's an adults job to provide guidance & support for young children to express themselves/communicate their needs in appropriate ways
We teach children how to read, write, skip or ride a bike. If a child does not know how to behave, we teach social emotional skills!
Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT)
TPOT is used as a social-emotional classroom observation tool for our preschool classrooms.
Master Teacher or Child Care Specialist must complete all sections of the TPOT: Short Form for all preschool center-based teaching teams within the first 60 days of service & by April 30 in the spring. TPOT results are used to guide training/coaching for:
Reinforcing interactions that promote social-emotional competence in young children
Implementing strategies to address challenging behavior
Teaching Pyramid
CSEFEL designed the Teaching Pyramid that builds upon a tiered public health approach to providing 3 levels of need.
Intensive services to those who need them (Yellow): Children with persistent challenges who need focused & individual attention
Targeted services to those who need more support (Green): Children At-Risk receive additional group intervention & support
Universal supports to all children to promote wellness (Blue) Practices & supports that are needed for all children
Implementation Plan
Intensive & Targeted
Strategies to address Intensive & Targeted services are developed during Case Management & Child Success Team (CST) Meetings.
Tools:
Child Success Team Process
Child Behavior Process
Universal Practices
Educators develop plans to implement strategies to provide guidance & support for children so that they may communicate their needs in appropriate ways.
Tools:
Connect School to Home
Staff & parents work together to help children develop social emotional skills & reduce challenging behaviors by focusing on one topic each month.
Tools:
Observation & Planning
Designee observes & works with Educators to develop plans for additional support. including determining strategies to use.
Tools: