When a family begins to think about daycare of preschool, academics and school readiness are often what first come to mind. While both are vital, an overlooked value of a high-quality childcare is the way in which it supports a child’s emotional development. Emotional regulation and development will serve them well, not just in their early childhood education but through life as a whole. Children have to learn to manage big feelings, navigate social situations and grow their confidence. Within the care of a nurturing and intentional daycare or preschool, they can do just that.
Research shows that children who develop emotional regulation and self-confidence early are better prepared for learning, relationships, and long-term success. Here at Clover Hill Children’s Center, we are very intentional with the emotional development of our students. Call today to set up a tour and watch learning and growth take place!
Consistent Routines Create Emotional Security
Predictable days help young children know what to expect, making them feel safer in their environment. Daily routines like consistent wake up times, meals, playtimes, naps, or even school schedules all help them understand what comes next. In understanding, they have less stress and are less prone to emotional overwhelm and are better able to focus on learning. Research from Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child points to this, as well, finding that consistent routines and predictable environments help young children build self-regulation skills by strengthening the brain systems responsible for managing emotions, attention, and behavior.
Here at Clover Hill Children’s Center, structured preschool and daycare routines are our bread and butter. Schedule a tour to see the daily rhythms of our various classes and age groups.
Supportive Teachers Guide Emotional Regulation
Relationships help teach children important emotional skills that are foundational to early childhood education. In a quality daycare, childcare, or preschool setting, teachers model calm behavior themselves and will guide students through challenges, naming emotions along the way. These moments, when met with intentionality, teach children to pause, identify how they are feeling, and respond in an appropriate manner. While this may be slow going when they are young, it lays the path for healthy emotional habits as they grow.
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that warm, responsive caregiver relationships are essential for developing emotional regulation in early childhood.
Our educators here at Clover Hill Children’s Center are very intentional to not only walk your little one through the various frustrations that a day as a preschooler might bring, but they are emotionally intelligent role models, as well. Call us today to learn more about our approach to teaching emotional regulation and to schedule a time to come meet our early childhood education teachers.
Peer Interaction Builds Confidence and Social Skills
According to the organization ZERO TO THREE, social-emotional development — including building relationships and understanding emotions — is a foundation for children’s confidence and ability to connect with others. As children interact with others, they are presented with the opportunity to practice social skills like sharing, turn taking, and conflict resolution. These interactions will help them build empathy, communication skills, and social intelligence that will serve them well from preschool and beyond.
We know the value of positive social interaction here at Clover Hill Children’s Center and are happy to provide our students with lots of opportunities to practice in a safe and controlled environment. Schedule a tour today to get in on the fun!
Play Encourages Emotional Expression
Play is a pivotal tool in early childhood education–from memorizing ABC’s, learning to write, and even in their emotional development, as well! Play opens up a world that allows children to explore emotions that they might not yet be able to verbalize. From pretend play, art, sensory play, music, and more…play offers a slew of opportunities to practice and work through big (or small) feelings.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) agrees that play is an essential piece for teaching emotional regulation and resilience to children within early childhood education.
Our play-based classrooms here at Clover Hill Children’s Center are particularly designed to encourage and support quality play in our students. Come for a visit and see how we weave play into our daily learning.
Supporting the Whole Child from the Very Beginning
Setting children up right with quality emotional regulation practice and self-confidence building is huge within early childhood education. If you are looking for a quality daycare or preschool that provides structure, intentional play, and encourages good relationships then come see us here at Clover Hill Children’s Center! We would love to partner with your family and set your little one off to a confident, supported start!
