Social Emotional Development Milestones: What to Expect Ages 2-6

Two young children sitting together and playing with colorful toys

Key takeaway Emotional awareness is internal (recognizing feelings), while social-emotional skills are action-oriented (using emotions to navigate relationships). Social-emotional skills include five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision-making. Two-year-olds may express big feelings through tantrums; parents can help by naming feelings, offering comfort during meltdowns, and using books to discuss emotions.…

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How to Teach Emotional Awareness to Children

A mother and young daughter lie on a white bed, facing each other in an intimate conversation

Key takeaway Why does emotional awareness matter? It’s key for brain development, social skills, and how children learn to handle life’s challenges. Children with emotional awareness and emotional intelligence build better relationships, achieve more academically, and enjoy better physical and mental health. Even before speaking, infants show emotion by communicating through crying and facial expressions,…

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How to Prepare Children for the Real World

Two smiling young children with their arms around each other taking a selfie outdoors.

Note: this blog post is adapted from the podcast episode, How to prepare your kids for the real world. Parents often ask me: “How can I prepare my child for the real world?” This question emerges in three distinct contexts: Navigating external influences like junk food and media; Dealing with broader social systems that don’t…

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