All About Happiness – The Importance of Social Emotional Education

During online preschool, your child will be learning a variety of different lessons and skills that will help them as they move forward in their education. One of the most important pillars of their education is one you might not be able to find in a textbook: Social Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL can help your child become more in tune with their own emotions as well as the emotions of their peers. By promoting emotional awareness, your child can approach their education in a brand new way, recognizing that their feeling are equally important If you’re looking for ways to promote SEL for your little one, we’ve got plenty. Read on for more tips to promote happiness!

All About Happiness – The Importance of Social Emotional Education

SEL can help your little one get the most out of their online preschool experience, and prepare them for in person school going forward.  Here are 5 ways to promote SEL for your little one to maximize happiness.

1 – Give space to feel

Emotions happen, especially for little minds that are learning how to process big feelings. If your child becomes frustrated with a lesson, or has a problem they are unable to express, they may begin to feel stress, sadness, and anger. Negative emotions happen, and it is best to create ways for your child to express these emotions in a healthy way. Creating a space within their work area to go to for a quick 5 minute break is great, and will show your little one that their emotions are okay to feel. From there, checking in and finding a solution so they can get through their lesson is key, and will help them learn how to work through their emotions in a way that can help them resolve their problems. Once they have worked through their negative emotions, it is easier to then focus on the positive ones!

2 – Encourage a growth mindset

Another way to promote happiness in the midst of negative emotions is to help your little one remember that their problems can lead to new discoveries. Even if they are struggling with a lesson, reminding them that they will come away with a new skill can promote a mindset of growth, leading to a more positive outlook of themselves and their lessons.

3 – Create Ways to Cultivate Relationships

After a busy day of online classes, finding some one-on-one time to spend with your little one is a great way to show them that you care. If your little one has also shown that they are forming a friendship with one or more of their classmates, finding time for them to play with friends, whether in-person or virtually, is equally beneficial. Through this quality time, your little ones will learn the importance of forming relationships that bring joy, and can socialize more!

4 – Practice mindfulness

Finding mindfulness practices to do with your little one can not only help with emotional awareness, but also promote happiness for your little one as well as yourself! Finding meditations to do together, or just taking 5 minutes to do a quiet activity together can help create a sense of relaxation and ease.

5 – Encourage responsibility

Adding in things for your little one to be responsible for in their space is a great way to begin showing them how to be self sufficient, leading to a sense of accomplishment, which can promote happiness. This doesn’t have to be big at all – simply asking your little one to put their materials back in a designated location, or wipe down their area after a messy project is more than enough. Try Our Online Preschool for FREE! Playgarden Prep offers an excellent acclaimed online preschool, at highly affordable prices. Click here to start learning with us for FREE today!