How to Support Your Child’s Social Emotional Learning at Home With Everyday Moments

You may have heard the term Social Emotional Learning (SEL) used in schools. Many U.S. education systems have embraced the SEL process to help children develop important life skills. More than just gaining an education, some schools are helping children acquire social and emotional knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

These skills can teach kids how to manage difficult emotions, set goals, feel empathy for others, and develop healthy relationships. However, SEL isn't something that can only be taught in the school setting. Whether your child is enrolled in a traditional school or you choose to homeschool, parents can help their kids build social and emotional skills at home. We speak with an expert in the education system to find out ways that parents can foster this type of learning through everyday moments.

What Is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

CASEL defines SEL as “the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”

There are five main skills described in SEL:

1. Self-awareness
2. Self-management
3. Social awareness
4. Relationship skills
5. Responsible decision making

Why Is Social Emotional Learning Important for a Child’s Overall Development?

We speak with Allison Wilson, Senior Director of Curriculum and Innovation at Stratford Schools, to determine the importance of this type of learning. Stratford Schools is a chain of private schools in California offering preschool through 12th-grade education. Wilson tells us, “Decades of research show that SEL supports both academic success and long-term well-being. When children learn to recognize emotions, manage stress, and build caring relationships, they develop confidence and resilience.”

Beyond school, these skills can help kids manage anything life has to throw at them. Wilson says, “These durable skills strengthen friendships, family connections, and the ability to handle life’s challenges, which helps children thrive in both school and life.”

What Does Social Emotional Learning Look Like At Home?

Social-emotional learning isn't something that you just turn off when you leave school. Wilson explains that learning SEL skills can be powerful when your kids learn them through everyday moments and normal life.

“SEL is most effective when children experience it in real-time and through authentic experiences, so it can be everywhere they learn and grow. At home, family routines are powerful opportunities to practice such skills. Everyday moments such as sharing with a sibling, waiting patiently for a turn during a game, helping make a family decision, or talking about how a character in a story might feel all strengthen self-awareness, empathy, and problem-solving.”

Wilson also tells us that parents are key in helping kids develop these important skills. “Home, like school, provides the safe space children need to begin learning the difference between feeling certain emotions versus acting upon them. Parents play a crucial role in helping their child understand. It’s okay to feel sad or frustrated, but we need to learn to channel and process those emotions safely and thoughtfully. When home and school work together, children feel a sense of consistency and belonging.”

Nurture Your Kids’ Social and Emotional Growth in Simple, Everyday Ways

Helping your kids develop SEL skills doesn't have to be complicated. Wilson explains, “Encouraging children to name their feelings builds self-awareness, while practicing calming strategies such as deep breathing or taking a break strengthens self-management. Modeling respectful listening and kindness helps develop relationship skills, and involving children in small choices, such as planning a meal or a family outing, supports responsible decision-making.”

When to Know if It’s Time to Reach Out for Professional Support

Many parents know that when it comes to a child's emotions, things don't always go according to plan. We ask Wilson if there are signs parents can watch for to indicate their child may be struggling to learn these skills, and how parents can know if it's time to reach out for professional help. Wilson tells us, “A child may be struggling if you notice frequent frustration or outbursts, withdrawal from peers, difficulty maintaining friendships, reluctance to join group activities, or negative self-talk. Additionally, difficulty in recovering from things such as losing a game, or not getting picked first to speak, or having to wait their turn with their favorite toy or book, can also indicate a need for some support.”

Although all kids have ups and downs, one thing to watch for is whether challenging behaviors are regularly disrupting your child's life. “While ups and downs are a normal part of childhood, a good marker is whether your child is reaching typical developmental milestones. Social and emotional growth is gradual, and most children steadily build skills such as managing emotions, cooperating with others, and forming friendships. When challenges regularly disrupt daily routines and relationships, it may signal the need for extra support from parents, teachers, or professionals.”

SEL Can Help Kids Throughout Their Lives

While the social and emotional skills your child is learning now may not seem life-changing, these skills will impact them for the rest of their lives. As Wilson explains, “At Stratford, we believe social and emotional learning is not separate from academics; it is the foundation that helps children learn, grow, and thrive.”

“Children need to feel safe, seen, and heard in order to learn. We prioritize safety and well-being above all, while nurturing durable skills such as confidence, resilience, empathy, and responsibility, so that children are prepared not only for success in school but also for healthy relationships and well-being throughout their lives.”

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