Similar to physical development, a young child's social and emotional capacity should expand rapidly in the early years. Relationships with parents and other caregivers create the framework for positive social and emotional patterns affecting behavior and self-concept that can persist into adulthood. The way children feel about themselves and respond to their social world is as critical to their success in school and in life as their capacity to think.
Young children who experience sensitive, consistent, responsive, and nurturing care generally develop a sense of security and a deep emotional bond with their primary caregivers. This relationship results from many interactions, particularly those in response to the needs of the infant.
The Great Start Collaborative of Jackson County has identified social emotional health as a key factor in a child's ability to be successful upon school entry and throughout life. We know that children who experience difficulties related to lack of social and emotional health struggle to manage their feelings and emotions, often leading to behavior problems that are difficult for parents, teachers and caregivers to manage.
Great Start is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of social emotional health and its impact on a child's later success in life and supporting parents and other caregivers with learning opportunities to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to support their child's social emotional health.
Highlights of Progress to Date
To learn more about the work of Great Start in the area of Social Emotional Health and how you can help contact us.
Helpful Links
Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) - Social & Emotional Health
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
