Social and Emotional Competence
The early years are an important time in a child’s development…..a time when children develop social skills, and form values, attitudes and internal beliefs that can last a lifetime
Social and emotional competence is a broad set of skills that children can develop to help them navigate social interactions and feelings. Early childhood centres are socially rich contexts and a key part of our curriculum is to give children the time, support and opportunities to practice and build their own competences, in a safe and secure space. These skills are woven throughout Te Whāriki, our early childhood curriculum and include:
Resilience – to try again when things don’t go right
Persistence – to keep trying when things get hard
Curiosity – to explore the unknown
Empathy – to recognise the needs of others
Negotiation – to talk with others about what you need
Problem solving – moving obstacles
Communication – effectively making my voice and viewpoint heard
Emotional regulation – managing big feelings in a positive way
Self management – the cognitive ability to learn
Conflict resolution – to deal with differences with others in a constructive way
Self belief – to know that you are important, and that your voice matters
Respect – for themselves, for others and for their possessions and environment