Summary of Topic Social-emotional development in infants and toddlers is foundational for lifelong emotional well-being and success. During the first three years, children develop critical skills such as forming secure relationships, expressing emotions, and beginning self-regulation. Educators play a pivotal role in fostering this development through responsive caregiving, creating supportive environments, and building partnerships with families. Key Points 1. Foundations of Social-Emotional Development - Early milestones include building trust, recognizing emotions, and forming attachments. - Social-emotional skills directly impact later learning and relationship-building. 2. Educators’ Role - Respond consistently to infants’ and toddlers’ emotional cues to build trust. - Model and teach emotional expression and self-regulation strategies. 3. Creating Supportive Environments - Design classrooms with emotional safety in mind, including cozy spaces and diverse materials. - Use routines to create a predictable and secure atmosphere. 4. Partnerships with Families - Maintain open communication with parents about their child’s emotional milestones. - Equip families with tools to support social-emotional growth at home. Objectives By the end of this session, participants will: 1. Understand the significance of social-emotional development in the first three years. 2. Identify key milestones in infant and toddler social-emotional growth. 3. Learn practical strategies to support emotional expression, self-regulation, and peer interactions. 4. Develop approaches to create emotionally supportive learning environments. 5. Strengthen family partnerships to ensure consistent support for social-emotional development.