Developmental Stages, Milestones & SEL Strategies

Explore our curated SEL resources designed to support social and emotional learning across all developmental stages. Discover strategies and insights tailored for educators, parents, and anyone passionate about fostering emotional well-being. Join us in nurturing a more empathetic and resilient future generation.

Prenatal stage

Social/Emotional Milestones (indirect but foundational):

  • Development of stress-response systems influenced by maternal stress and health.
  • Beginning formation of neural pathways related to emotional processing.
  • Prenatal bonding experiences (e.g., singing, talking) promote early attachment.

Classroom Strategies (for educators working with expectant families):

  • Prenatal Wellness Workshops: Provide resources on stress reduction, healthy habits, and mental health supports for expectant parents.
  • Family Bonding Promotion: Offer handouts encouraging parents to talk, sing, and read to their baby before birth to support early emotional connection.

Infancy (0–12 months)

Social/Emotional Milestones:

  • Recognizes caregivers and forms secure attachment
  • Begins expressing basic emotions (joy, discomfort, fear)
  • Engages in social games like peek-a-boo
  • Shows early self-soothing attempts (thumb sucking, looking away)

Classroom SEL Strategies:

  • Responsive Routines: Consistent caregiving, warm vocal tone, and predictable transitions to build emotional security.
  • Emotion Name & Respond: Label infant emotions (“You’re feeling frustrated”) to build early emotional awareness and reduce distress.

Middle childhood (6–11 years)

Social/Emotional Milestones:

  • Improved empathy and understanding of social rules
  • Better but still developing impulse control
  • More complex friendships; desire for peer acceptance
  • Growing ability to reflect on emotions and behavior
  • Beginning independence in coping skills

Classroom SEL Strategies:

  • Problem-Solving Circles: Students discuss real social scenarios and practice collaborative solutions.
  • Goal-Setting Journals: Students set weekly SEL goals (e.g., “ask for help calmly”), reflect, and celebrate progress.