Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Emotional and Social Development (ESD)

Subdomain: Learning About Feelings

Goal: Children identify, manage, and express their feelings.

Skill Progression: Self-control

Age: 33-36 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 33-36 Months.

Observe the adult and child reading a book about emotions or a story about a character who feels different emotions.

If the adult doesn’t naturally discuss emotions with the child, the adult can read a book with the child. Discuss the characters in the book. What do they need? How do they feel? How do the characters demonstrate the same or different likes, needs, and feelings as the child? Books can serve as a natural bridge to exploring the child’s own inner world.

Note the child’s statements and what they reflect about the child’s sense of safety, security, self-awareness and self-confidence. Fears and worries are natural at this age, so note these as well.

Use information gained to help parents realize the child’s strengths and inner worries. Help parents develop the tools they need to help build the child’s self-confidence and ability to deal with the child’s fears or concerns. Provide examples of statements to use for nightmares, fear of the dark, etc.