Social emotional school readiness

Once you get your baby home you need to begin to get her ready for schools by giving her the social and emotional school readiness skills that will help her to succeed in life and school.
During these critical years many of our boys are not given the social and emotional readiness that is needed for school:

1. Skill: Understands the difference between right and wrong and recognizes and respects authority figures.
Why It's Important: When your children get to kindergarten they will be in a bigger class plus the will not be able to get individual attention. Your child should be able to self regulate.

2.  Communication: Your infant/toddler  should be able to communicate his needs and feelings verbally in a socially appropriate manner and understands/shows empathy for his peers.
Why It's Important:  Kindergarten is where children begin to practice their ability to make friends, show empathy and work in a group and how to socially interact with others.

Children who continue to express anger and frustration by hitting, yelling and throwing objects will not only have a difficult time making their needs understood, but may socially isolate themselves as well. Knowing that there are more productive ways to express themselves and what they say and do affects other people plays a key role in making friends and being a part of the learning community.

 Independence:  Can play independently or in a small group without needing to be constantly supervised.
Why It's Important:  With twenty children in a class, all of whom learn in different ways and at different pace, it's not possible for a kindergarten teacher to supervise every individual child all at the same time.

As kindergarten progresses, group and independent work time is increased and children need to be able to work on their own without constant redirection. Not only does this prepare a child for future schooling, these are life skills that he will take to the work world.

Your infant/toddler should feel competent-he should feel that he can have an impact on the world

 Relatedness:  should be able to take turns, share, converse and play with other children without needing to be reminded and uses polite language.

Why It’s Important: Your infant/toddler will be able to engage with his peers and also understand his peers.

 

Self discipline: In kindergarten there will not be a toy or book for everyone. Your infant/toddler needs to learn how to share materials, toys and attention before he gets to kindergarten. He'll need to be able to do so in a socially acceptable way.

Why It’s Important: Your infant/toddler is building the foundation for interacting with others, this skill will be useful throughout his life. It also teaches him patience.

·         Just remember that mastering these skills is an ongoing process that is why you need to start during the infant toddler years.

Infants/Toddlers who experience positive relationships develop resilience and a positive sense of self (Ainsworth& Bell 1994: Arnold, Gove & Souse” Erickson, Korfmachher & Eggeland 1992)

·         They come to believe they are lovable and important and can have an effect on other people. Children with secure relationships know these children are better at self regulation(Shore 1997)

·         They are easier to settle down after they have been distressed.

·         Children with poor relationships are harder to teach because they get little pleasure from teachers warm encouraging words. (Hoing 2002a)

 Curiosity: your child should be able to think independent, explores new things should be willing to take risks.
Why It's Important: Going to kindergarten is a major transition for your infant/toddler. He may experience separation anxiety.  You should ask the school to arrange a trip to the kindergarten class this will allow for a smooth transition.

You need to work on giving your  infant/toddler these emotional skills both at home and in care. Counting and the ABCs will not prepare your infant/toddler for success in the world he needs social emotional skills and they must be given during the infant toddler years 0-3years.
Confidence-Your infant toddler should have a sense of control and mastery of her body,should feel that she will succeed at any task that she undertakes,and that adults will be helpful.
Why is this important-It is very important for your infant/toddler to have self confidence that will bill self esteem in your child. That is why you need to help her to be independent and self-reliant.
Listening skills are very important also.

You may think it’s too early to teach your infnat/toddler the various skills I laid out above, but your infant/toddler brain is always working even though they cannot speak. Repetition is key and you as the parent(s) are your  infant/toddlers first teacher AND a mirror of his world.  I recommend you read this book with your infant/toddler “You are My World” by Amy Hatkoff.