Choosing the right preschool, kindergarten, or early learning center for your child is a major decision. At Newport Children’s School, we aim to partner with parents in providing a holistic early education experience that nurtures not just academic readiness, but also the emotional and social growth of every child.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a vital role in this journey, equipping young children with the emotional resilience, empathy, and interpersonal skills they need to thrive. As a supplemental part of our comprehensive kindergarten prep program, the Second Step Early Learning Curriculum focuses specifically on SEL. This research-backed framework supports the development of critical social and emotional skills alongside academic learning, creating a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.
Below, we provide an overview of how this SEL-focused curriculum works and why it’s such an important part of your child’s educational journey.
Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL, is the process through which children learn to understand and manage their emotions, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. SEL is essential for developing the skills young children need to succeed in social settings, whether in an educational daycare, preschool, or the classroom.
Our SEL program, integrated through the Second Step Early Learning Curriculum, focuses on helping children:
These foundational skills not only improve your child’s ability to learn but also create a happier and more cooperative classroom environment.
One of the first steps in our SEL program is equipping children with fundamental skills to succeed in any learning environment. In Unit 1: Skills for Learning, children practice essential tools like listening, focusing attention, following directions, and self-talk.
These skills are particularly important for children as they begin their journey through early education programs and prepare for kindergarten readiness.
Empathy is at the heart of building meaningful relationships, and it’s a crucial aspect of our kindergarten prep curriculum. In Unit 2: Empathy, children learn how to identify their own emotions and those of others, fostering kindness and understanding.
These social-emotional learning skills are key components of a quality early learning center and help your child develop strong relationships with peers while building the foundations for cooperation and teamwork.
Managing emotions is one of the most important skills for young children in an early learning environment. In Unit 3: Emotion Management, we guide children through managing strong emotions like anger, disappointment, and frustration.
By practicing these strategies in our early learning center, your child will develop emotional resilience, preparing them for challenges they may face in kindergarten and beyond.
Social skills are essential for your child’s development, both in and outside of the classroom. In Unit 4: Friendship Skills and Problem Solving, children learn how to make and keep friends, as well as how to resolve conflicts in a positive manner.
These essential early learning skills not only help children form lasting friendships but also encourage teamwork and cooperation, which are invaluable as they prepare for the structure and routines of kindergarten.
As your child grows and approaches kindergarten, it’s important that they feel confident in their abilities to succeed in a more structured school environment. Unit 5: Transitioning to Kindergarten ensures that they are ready for this big step.
This unit of our kindergarten prep curriculum prepares your child for the next stage of their education, helping them feel excited and ready to enter elementary school with confidence.
Research shows that social-emotional learning (SEL) is critical to a child’s academic success, emotional well-being, and future life satisfaction. By focusing on empathy, emotion management, and problem-solving skills, we help your child build a solid emotional foundation that will support them throughout their education and beyond.
At Newport Children’s School, our commitment to providing a holistic and nurturing approach to early learning center means your child will have the best possible start to their educational journey. Our curriculum not only prepares them for kindergarten readiness but also equips them with lifelong skills in learning, friendships, and emotional well-being.
If you’d like to learn more about how our curriculum can benefit your child, or if you’re interested in seeing our early learning center in action, please contact us to schedule a tour. We’d love to show you firsthand how we create a nurturing and engaging learning environment for every child.