Primrose Schools understand that the first five years of a child’s life are a critical period for social and emotional development. During these formative years, children learn key skills that will serve as the foundation for their future academic and social success. While cognitive and academic growth is important, a child’s ability to navigate social situations, express emotions in a healthy way and self-regulate are just as vital. At Primrose School of Arlington, teachers help students build academic, social and life skills through a balance of purposeful play and nurturing guidance.
At Primrose Schools, children are introduced to the concept of cooperation through our exclusive Balanced Learning® curriculum. For many children, preschool is the first structured environment where they are expected to work in groups and interact with peers regularly. Being able to share, take turns and collaborate on tasks are important skills that children begin to develop in preschool that will be essential as they progress through school and into adulthood.
By participating in group activities and playing alongside fellow students at the different Children’s Choice Learning Centers, children at Primrose schools learn how to communicate with others, express their needs and listen to the perspectives of their peers. These early lessons in cooperation not only prepare them for academic success but also help them build meaningful relationships in the future.
Empathy is a key component of emotional intelligence, and it’s during the preschool years that children begin to develop this important skill. At Primrose Schools, children learn to identify emotions in themselves and others through role-playing, storytelling and discussions. Teachers also use the 12 Primrose Friends puppets to model positive character traits and provide children with an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. Puppet play is a proven early learning tool that helps children develop cognitive abilities and social-emotional skills such as empathy that will help them navigate complex social situations as they grow older.
Self-regulation is the ability to understand and manage your own behavior and actions, and it’s one of the most critical skills that children begin to develop in preschool. Primrose School of Arlington places a strong emphasis on helping children learn how to interact and communicate with others using speech, body language and facial expressions as well as how to play well with others and make friends. We also help students become familiar with routines and boundaries that teach them patience and self-discipline.
When children experience frustration, disappointment or excitement, teachers at Primrose School of Arlington help them navigate these feelings in a constructive manner. Over time, children learn to calm themselves down, wait their turn and express their emotions in a healthy way. This ability to self-regulate not only benefits them in the classroom but in the future as well.
The social and emotional skills developed in preschool are critical for a child’s future success in educational settings. Primrose School of Arlington prepares children for both the social and academic challenges of kindergarten and beyond. In school, children will need to be able to work in teams, communicate effectively with teachers and peers and manage their emotions in a more complex environment. At the Primrose School of Arlington, the Primrose Balanced Learning® curriculum helps children build the social and life skills needed to face these challenges with confidence.
The benefits of social and emotional learning extend far beyond preschool. Children who develop these skills in the first five years are more likely to experience academic success, form healthy relationships and adapt well to changes and challenges. The skills that students strengthen at Primrose School of Arlington will serve them well throughout their lives, both in their personal relationships and career journeys.
The first five years are a pivotal time for social and emotional development, and our Balanced Learning curriculum helps children build the crucial skills they’ll succeed at school, at home and beyond. Visit our education page to explore the Balanced Learning approach and see how it comes to life at Primrose schools.
