Have you noticed how much more confident and cooperative children become when they understand their emotions? And there’s research to back that up: kids who develop strong social and emotional skills in their early years are 42% more likely to succeed academically and socially later in life. That means when you help your preschoolers get in touch with their feelings and navigate healthy relationships, you set them up for a lifetime of success.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is about more than teaching them to say "please" and "thank you." It’s as essential to their development as learning the ABCs. In this blog, we’ll explore what SEL really means, why it’s so important in preschool, and how you can weave simple, fun SEL activities into your curriculum.

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps kids become their best selves—emotionally, socially, and academically. It’s basically emotional intelligence in action, but for tiny humans learning to navigate new feelings. SEL teaches children how to understand their own emotions, empathize with others, regulate their feelings, and build meaningful relationships. 

The framework that makes it all work

SEL lives in the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. Think of it this way: if SEL is the engine, then CASEL is the roadmap. It organizes SEL into five essential skills:

1. Self-awareness: Understanding your own emotions, strengths, and limitations.

2. Self-management: Learning how to control impulses, handle stress, and achieve goals.

3. Social awareness: Recognizing and respecting the feelings and perspectives of others.

4. Relationship skills: Building healthy connections through communication and cooperation.

5. Responsible decision-making: Making thoughtful choices that consider others and the consequences.

Why does SEL matter so much?

SEL prepares kids for life in and outside of the classroom. Research shows that kids who develop strong social and emotional skills early on are more likely to excel in academics, build positive relationships, and even succeed in their future careers. A study by CASEL found that students exposed to SEL programs showed an 11% improvement in academic performance. When children feel confident and connected, they are better prepared to face challenges and thrive in various aspects of their lives.

Imagine a preschooler learning to manage their frustration during a tricky puzzle. That’s SEL at work! They’re building resilience, practicing patience, and problem-solving—all important skills for adulthood.

Why SEL Is essential in preschool

Preschool is more than a place for academics. Social and emotional learning at preschool starts building the skills your students will carry for life. Here are some ways SEL is a vital part of early education.

• Emotional Resilience: Ever seen a child burst into tears over a broken crayon? Moments like these are perfect for teaching emotional resilience.

• Social Skills: Preschool is where kids first learn teamwork, and SEL plays a key role in teaching empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

• Community Impact: SEL creates a ripple effect at home and in the community. It fosters inclusive classrooms and heartwarming moments, like a child comforting a sad classmate or staying calm during a disagreement.

• Academic Success: Kids learn best when they feel safe and supported, and SEL creates that environment. By fostering emotional stability, SEL helps children focus and stay motivated.

SEL does more than just improve behavior and curb tantrums—it’s a powerful foundation for growth. By intentionally embedding SEL into your curriculum, you can help cultivate compassionate, emotionally intelligent, and resilient young individuals.

How to Incorporate SEL in Preschool Classrooms

Incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into preschool classrooms doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your existing curriculum. From daily routines to mindfulness practices, these strategies can seamlessly integrate SEL into your classroom, making every moment a learning opportunity: 

Weaving SEL into everyday moments

SEL is something you can easily integrate into the routines you already have. Start with your morning check-ins and take a moment to ask kids how they’re feeling and let them share. Maybe use a feelings chart to make it visual and fun. There’s also storytime—pick books that highlight empathy or problem-solving and pause to talk about the characters’ feelings.

Modeling behavior

Kids absorb the emotions they observe. That’s why modeling emotional intelligence is so important. When you’re feeling frustrated, show them how you manage it. Take a deep breath, name your emotion, and explain how you’re going to handle it. 

Creating a safe environment

Your classroom is a home away from home for your students. Setting up a calm-down corner in a cozy spot with pillows, books, and sensory tools can give kids a safe, supportive place to reset. You can also promote kindness through activities like “kindness jars,” where kids add notes about nice things they see or do. 

Mindfulness practices

You’re not going to convince preschoolers to sit still for 30 minutes, but there are still ways to teach them mindfulness effectively. Start with focused breathing: ask kids to pretend they’re blowing up a balloon or smelling a flower. Guided imagery works great, too—imagine they’re floating on a cloud or walking through a quiet forest. These exercises teach kids how to calm themselves.

Social emotional learning activities for preschool

Incorporating SEL activities into a preschool day can be both enriching and something kids look forward to. Here are some activities that will help the little ones explore their emotions and feel connected to their world. 

Make learning fun through interactive games

• Turn-taking games: Waiting your turn can be hard and frustrating at times. Turn-taking games like rolling a ball back and forth or simple board games can teach patience and cooperation without kids even realizing they’re learning.

• Emotion charades: Write down different emotions (happy, sad, surprised, etc.) on slips of paper and let kids act them out while their classmates guess. This helps them recognize and express feelings in a creative way.

• Storytime with discussion: Use storytime for SEL, and after reading, pause to ask questions like, “How do you think that character felt?” or “What would you have done in their shoes?”

Let them explore their imagination through creative activities

• Gratitude letters: Have kids draw or write a thank-you note to someone who has done something kind for them. This encourages gratitude and helps them recognize the positive things in their lives.

• Kindness bingo: Make bingo cards with simple acts of kindness, like sharing a toy, helping a friend, or saying something nice. Kids can mark off each act as they complete it, turning kindness into a fun, rewarding challenge.

• Music and movement: Turn on some music and let kids express their emotions through movement. Play songs with different moods—happy, calm, or silly—and ask them to dance in a way the music makes them feel. 

These activities show how easy it can be to weave SEL into your classroom. Play, creativity, and quiet moments of reflection will equip kids with important tools they’ll carry for the rest of their lives!

Addressing Criticisms of SEL in Preschool

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has its critics, and that’s okay—it’s important to have conversations about how we teach our youngest learners. Here are some common concerns and reasons why SEL continues to be essential in preschool education.

“Won’t SEL take time away from academics?”

It’s a fair concern. Preschool is where children begin to build foundational skills in reading and math. But SEL doesn’t replace academics; it enhances your approach. When kids learn to manage their emotions and focus, they have a greater capacity to tackle academic challenges. 

“Who decides what values are taught in SEL?”

Parents and educators want assurance that SEL won’t cross into teaching personal beliefs or controversial topics. The good news is that SEL focuses on universal skills like kindness, empathy, and decision-making—which transcend cultural or personal values.

“Do kids really need SEL more after recent years?”

Short answer? Absolutely. Many children face limited opportunities to develop critical social and emotional skills due to evolving challenges in today’s world. SEL helps bridge this gap by providing a safe space for children to explore their feelings, build resilience, and develop essential interpersonal skills.

Social-emotional learning helps kids understand their emotions, empathize with others, and build meaningful connections, which all contribute to a lifetime of success. The best part of SEL is its adaptability. Teachers, parents, and communities can work together to create environments where kids feel supported and safe to grow—not just academically, but emotionally and socially, too. It’s all about blending SEL and academics, giving children the best possible start in life.

As you think about the future of your classroom or your home, remember that every small step you take to prioritize SEL is a step toward shaping a brighter, kinder generation.