At the HEED Coalition and The Basics Southcoast/RI, we believe that social-emotional learning activities are vital to nurturing children’s emotional intelligence, resilience, and ability to build healthy relationships. Early experiences with understanding feelings, managing emotions, and interacting with others lay the foundation for lifelong well-being and success.
Social-emotional learning activities help children recognize and express emotions, develop empathy, navigate social situations, and build self-regulation skills. For caregivers, these activities provide practical ways to support children in understanding themselves and others, creating strong connections, and fostering a sense of security and confidence.
The resources in this section of the Birth to Five Resource Guide are offered to provide guidance, ideas, and strategies for incorporating social-emotional learning into everyday routines. Our hope is that these tools empower families to support emotional growth, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a foundation for healthy social development.
These materials are informational in nature and are not intended to replace evaluation, diagnosis, or individualized guidance from a physician, mental health professional, or other licensed clinical provider. Any concerns about a child’s emotional or behavioral development should be addressed with a qualified professional.
Emotional intelligence is built one interaction at a time. We hope these resources serve as a steady guide as you foster empathy, resilience, and connection in the earliest years of life.
SEL is how children learn to understand feelings, manage emotions, build relationships, and make caring choices. AAP emphasizes that healthy mental and emotional development is shaped by positive experiences and safe, stable relationships.
From birth. Infants’ social smiles and bonding with caregivers are early SEL. AAP describes emotional/social milestones as early as 1–3 months.
Label feelings (“You look frustrated”), read books about emotions, play turn-taking games, and create a calm-down routine (deep breaths, hug, quiet space). AAP’s “Helping Little People Manage Big Feelings” gives concrete strategies.
Parental mood strongly influences children’s behavior and stress responses. ACOG notes that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common complications of pregnancy and postpartum, and treatment helps both parent and baby.
Occasional tantrums are typical. Concerning signs include ongoing aggression, withdrawal, or loss of skills. AAP encourages social-emotional screening tools (like ASQ:SE) and talking with your pediatrician early.
AAP warns that too much screen time can crowd out play, sleep, and face-to-face interaction crucial for SEL, and offers tips for managing screen-related tantrums.
Yes. AAP identifies developmentally appropriate play with parents and peers as a “singular opportunity” to promote social-emotional and cognitive development.
Pediatricians are encouraged to assess family protective factors and social-emotional development at well-child visits and link families to community resources.
Skills like self-regulation, sharing, and problem-solving are core to being ready for kindergarten, alongside early literacy and numeracy. AAP connects early literacy and positive relationships to resilience and social-emotional competence.
You are not alone. ACOG recommends routine screening for depression/anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum and offers treatments that are compatible with parenting and, often, breastfeeding. Getting help is one of the best SEL gifts you can give your child.
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Important Notice
The Birth to Five Resource Guide is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. By using this site, you acknowledge that you are accessing these materials voluntarily and at your own discretion.
The information shared here is not intended to replace professional medical, clinical, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician, pediatrician, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding health, development, or medical conditions.
The HEED Coalition and The Basics Southcoast/RI make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of the information provided and assume no liability for any decisions made or actions taken based on the use of this site.
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