Early positive relationships play a fundamental role in children's social and emotional development. Children with secure attachments are more likely to feel safe, relaxed and loved. They are more inclined to try new things, challenge themselves and express their ideas and feelings.
‘The growth of strong neural pathways through emotional connection builds strong, healthy brains that are – eventually – capable of executive functions, such as self-regulation, and crucial for healthy functioning with others, our environment and ourselves,’ says Anne O’Connor, independent early years consultant, trainer and author, specialising in the prime areas of development.
Practitioners can help young children learn to recognise their feelings by naming and talking about different emotions using stories, drawing, crafts, role play and visual supports. By modelling calming strategies, practitioners can help build children's awareness of how to reduce or manage extremes of emotion. The environment can work for or against this, providing a secure base or be destabilising for children.
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