Parents support healthy social and emotional development in children when they model how to express and communicate emotions effectively, self-regulate, and make friends. A child's social and emotional competence is crucial to sound relationships with family, adults, and peers. Conversely, delayed social-emotional development may obstruct healthy relationships. Early identification of such delays and early assistance for children and parents can provide support for family relationships and sustain positive and appropriate development. This section includes State and local examples.
A Comprehensive Framework for Nurturing the Well-Being of Children and Adolescents (PDF - 470 KB)
Children's Bureau (2014)
Provides a framework for indicators of well-being in children and adolescents, identifies normal development milestones for children and adolescents, and offers examples of evidence-based interventions to use when a child's development has been impacted by maltreatment.
Conversation Guide to an Informal Conversation About the Way Parents and Caregivers Help Build the Social and Emotional Competence of Children
National Alliance of Children's Trust and Prevention Funds, Alliance National Parent Partnership Council (2019)
Offers tools and tips for parents and caregivers who want to have a conversation around building the social and emotional competence of children. The resource includes information on getting ready for the conversation, a time plan for the conversation, a scripted discussion guide, key points and reminders, and thoughts on how to process the conversation.
Promoting Young Children's Social and Emotional Health
Ho & Funk (2018)
Young Children, 73(1)
Explores why social and emotional health is important for children in preschool and how social and emotional competence leads to healthier relationships.
Social and Emotional Competence in Early Childhood (PDF - 231 KB)
Zinsser (2016)
University of Illinois at Chicago, Social Emotional Teaching and Learning Lab
Describes social and emotional learning, the process by which children learn cognitive and behavioral competencies that allow them to develop and maintain healthy relationships.
Social and Emotional Competence of Children Conversation Report Out Form
National Alliance of Children's Trust and Prevention Funds, Alliance National Parent Partnership Council (2019)
Provides a report out form for jotting down answers to questions after having a conversation (using the conversation guide) about the way parents and caregivers help build the social and emotional competence of children.
Social-Emotional Competence of Children: Protective and Promotive Factors (PDF - 202 KB)
Center for the Study of Social Policy (2018)
Discusses the link between children's level of social and emotional competence and their language skills, mental health, and school success.
State and local examples
Social and Emotional Competence of Children
Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood (2017)
Outlines how parents can teach their children social and emotional competence. It provides actionable, everyday steps to strengthen these skills and links to additional resources.
Social and Emotional Competence of Children
New Hampshire Children’s Trust
Lists tips for parents and professionals on how to assist children manage their emotions and improve their social and emotional competence through strategies such as asking questions and modeling appropriate behaviors.