Social-Emotional Development and Relationships

Just as we all have physical health, we all have mental health — and that includes very young children, even babies. Science shows that the foundation for mental health is built early in life. Mental health describes a person's overall emotional and psychological well-being. Strong mental health allows people to thrive and succeed.

Physical health gives us the energy and strength we need to work, care for our children, and do all the other activities of our daily lives. Mental health gives us the ability to make friends, deal with life's hardships, and be successful in school, work, and community.

In the same way that we care for children's physical health with healthy food, exercise, sleep, and regular check-ups, we must also care for their mental health. Supporting children's mental health means giving them positive experiences and making sure they have loving and stable relationships with the adults in their lives.

What does mental health look like in young children?

• Secure and loving relationships with adults
• Ability to experience and manage a range of emotions
• Having social skills
• Ability to learn and explore in the world around them

What Is Social-Emotional Development?

Social, emotional, and behavioral health begins at birth and lays a foundation for children to:

• Manage emotions
• Have positive relationships
• Resolve conflicts
• Peacefully take care of others

Children begin learning these skills from birth as they build attachments and trust with caregivers, learn how to calm themselves down, and later, to recognize emotions. Just like other skills, children develop social and emotional abilities over time — and they need plenty of support from adults as they learn. Nurturing our children’s social and emotional needs from birth helps ensure they will have good mental health throughout their lives.

Just as we take care of our children’s physical health with food, sleep, and medicine, we must also take care of their mental health by supporting their social-emotional development.

But how do we do that?

Loving relationships with you and other adults are the foundation of children’s healthy social-emotional development.

Positive relationships help children feel secure, supported, and encouraged. Through relationships, we can teach children to understand and share their feelings, develop compassion for other people, and learn the difference between right and wrong. These social and emotional skills prepare children for success in school and throughout their lives.

Try these tips to support your child's social-emotional development from birth to age 8:

• 0-8 months (Spanish)
• 9-18 months (Spanish)
• 19-36 months (Spanish)
• 3-5 years (Spanish)
• 5-8 years (Spanish)

Developing Social & Emotional Skills

Making friends. Waiting patiently. Caring for others. Controlling emotions. Following the rules. 

These are all examples of social and emotional skills that children learn slowly over time. And they need lots of support from caring adults to learn these social-emotional skills.

Social and emotional development starts at birth, with infants building attachments and trust with their caregivers and parents and learning how to calm themselves. Later, children begin to recognize emotions in themselves and others.

When social-emotional development is on the right path, children have strong mental health. In fact, social-emotional wellness is the foundation for mental health. If you are concerned about your child’s social-emotional development, talk to your pediatrician or child care provider. Additionally, you can contact the Early Childhood Mental Health Support Line at 833-326-4411. The Early Childhood Mental Health Support Line is a no-cost, confidential resource for anyone who cares for children under six. The support line can help you to better understand and support the well-being of the young children in your care, including children who may currently be struggling.

Related Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines

The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines describe the typical progression of social-emotional knowledge and skills across early childhood. Click below to learn more about how social and emotional development happens at different ages.