From the category archives:

Social-Emotional Skills

7 Ways to Help Anxious Kids

Have you read the book Wemberly Worried? Worry, worry, worry. Too much worry.
We have a worrier in our house – my seven-year-old daughter, Natalie. I can totally relate to her – I get that nervous stomach, too! I wouldn’t say her anxious tendencies are debilitating, but they are something we struggle with on a day [...]

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Bickering

The two sisters in this house have reached a bit of a stumbling block in their otherwise lovely relationship.  Play sessions are constantly interrupted by tears and stomping and words like, “That’s not fair!” or “You’re not being nice!”  Frustration, sadness, anger, jealousy – we’re getting to explore and discuss all those emotions in great [...]

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Emotions + Preschoolers

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 5
Regulating Emotions

We’ve made it to the last of this five-part series on social-emotional skills for preschoolers! Today I’m going to focus on the up-and-down emotional world of preschoolers. During this time in their development, preschoolers are learning how to express what they are feeling and what to do [...]

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Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 4
Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution

Problem Solving Practice
Provide a variety of open-ended toys that encourage creative thinking and experimentation.
Talk out loud while you solve problems to model effective problem-solving strategies.
Ask questions more often than you give answers. Get in the habit of saying, “What do you think we could do [...]

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Listening and Following Directions

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 3
Listening & Following Directions

Whenever I talk with other parents, this is a pretty hot topic! There are really two separate issues to discuss when we are looking at a preschooler’s ability to listen and follow directions. The first is about building skill — developing the ability to take [...]

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Initiative, Independence, & Responsibility

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 2
Initiative, Independence, & Responsibility

“I can do it myself!” is definitely one of the mantras of the preschool crowd. As children’s abilities grow and develop, so does their drive for independence. Our job is to provide them with a safe, encouraging environment in which to practice, practice, practice their [...]

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Curiosity, Invention, & Imagination

Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers: Part 1
Curiosity, Invention, & Imagination

We’re going to kick things off with three wonderful traits – curiosity, invention, and imagination. Lucky for us, preschoolers usually have an abundance of these three things, so we’ve already got a head start! Since we don’t really have to “teach” these skills, we can [...]

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Social-Emotional Skills for Preschoolers

Independence. Problem solving. Empathy. Expressing emotions. Preschoolers have a lot going on in their little minds! The preschool years, generally ages 3-5, are a busy time for developing important social and emotional skills. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we have the opportunity to provide engaging, play-based activities that allow children to develop a [...]

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Kindergarten Countdown – Transition Tips

Thumbnail image for Kindergarten Countdown – Transition Tips

As much as I want to deny it, Natalie is heading off to Kindergarten in four short weeks! She is beyond excited, but there is a touch of anxiety too. We are talking a lot about what she thinks it will be like, and beginning to practice routines and establish some special rituals. I’ve gathered [...]

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