Developmental Stages & Social/Emotional Milestones

. Infancy (0-12 months)

  • Milestones:

    • Forms secure attachments with caregivers

    • Responds to facial expressions and emotions of others

    • Begins to express basic emotions (joy, sadness, distress)

  • Classroom Strategies:

    1. Responsive Caregiving – Teachers should ensure consistent, nurturing interactions to build trust and security.

    2. Emotion Recognition Activities – Using mirrors and picture books to help infants recognize and respond to emotions.

Early Childhood (3-6 years)

  • Milestones:

    • Begins to develop empathy and cooperative play skills

    • Expresses a wider range of emotions

    • Starts to manage emotions with support

  • Classroom Strategies:

    1. Emotion Charts – Using visual aids to help children identify and communicate their emotions.

    2. Social Stories – Reading stories that model appropriate social and emotional behaviors.

Middle Childhood (6-12 years)

  • Milestones:

    • Understands complex emotions (e.g., pride, guilt)

    • Develops stronger peer relationships

    • Begins practicing problem-solving and conflict resolution skills

  • Classroom Strategies:

    1. Peer Mediation Programs – Teaching students how to resolve conflicts constructively.

    2. Mindfulness Exercises – Implementing breathing techniques and reflection activities to promote emotional regulation.

"In the end, social-emotional development is about more than just acquiring skills or hitting milestones. It’s about becoming fully human – capable of deep connections, rich emotional experiences, and meaningful contributions to our communities. It’s a lifelong journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery. And what a beautiful journey it is"  (Team, 2024)

 

team, N. editorial. (2024, October 18). Social-Emotional Development Stages: A Comprehensive Guide from Infancy to Adolescence. NeuroLaunch.com. https://neurolaunch.com/social-emotional-development-stages/

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