Socio-Emotional Development

Socio-emotional development refers to the range of skills that help a child understand and express their emotions, build relationships with others and gradually adapt to life in society. It encompasses the development of an attachment bond, emotional awareness and regulation, social skills and autonomy. These skills develop progressively through interactions with adults and other children and through everyday experiences.

The stages of socio-emotional development

0 to 3 years old

  • The child develops an attachment bond, primarily during the first year of life, when their parents or other caregivers respond attentively and consistently to their needs.
  • During the first year of life, the child gradually feels different primary emotions, such as joy, anger, sadness, fear and disgust.
  • The child gradually learns to recognize their emotions, then others’ emotions.
  • Toddlers express their emotions more often through gestures than through words.
  • The child benefits from talking with the adult about their experiences to better understand and identify the emotions associated with them.

Our games for these ages

Doudou des émotions
Loto des émotions
3 to 5 years old

  • The attachment bond continues to be strengthened through a host of warm everyday interactions: playing with the child, smiling at them, comforting them, listening to them, reading them a story, encouraging them, etc.
  • The child names their emotions more and more easily, but they may still have difficulty understanding or explaining precisely what causes them.
  • The child is gradually able to identify and talk about the events behind their emotions (e.g., they can say, “I’m angry because I can’t do my puzzle!” or they can talk about their day at daycare by naming what made them happy or sad).
  • The child continues to develop their ability to recognize emotions in others, particularly from their facial expressions, voice and behaviours.
  • The child increasingly enjoys playing with others and gradually develops the ability to cooperate, share and resolve minor conflicts.

Our games for these ages

Cherche et trouve les émotions
L'école des monstres
Au lit ouistitis!
5 to 7 years old

  • The child has a growing understanding of complex emotions, such as pride and embarrassment, as well as the different degrees of emotional intensity.
  • Little by little, the child learns to better regulate their emotions, to express them accordingly based on the context and to adjust their reactions according to the situation.
  • The child develops a better understanding of social norms and the reasons behind them, and is increasingly able to respect them in different situations.

Our games for these ages

La planète des émotions
Le laboratoire des émotions
La boite calme
7 to 12 years old

  • The child develops increasingly complex social skills, such as cooperation, negotiation and consideration of the others’ perspectives.
  • The child gradually develops the ability to regulate their emotions more independently, including in complex or frustrating situations.
  • The child’s social relationships become more diverse and increasingly important in their daily life, whether at school, during leisure activities or within their family.
  • The child is increasingly able to express their ideas and emotions clearly, while taking into account others’ points of view.

Our games for these ages

Le code social
La montagne de la confiance
#Distavie junior
ImProsocial
12 to 17 years old

  • Adolescents may experience emotions more intensely. They gradually learn to better understand them, regulate them and express them accordingly based on the situation.
  • The young adult has a growing understanding of complex emotions, others’ points of view and the fact that the same situation can generate different emotions in different people.
  • Friendships take on an increasingly important role and have a growing influence on the adolescent’s daily life.
  • The young adult is often more comfortable expressing themself in situations with people they trust rather than in a context where they fear being judged.
  • The young adult gradually seeks to gain independence while continuing to need the support of friends and family.

Our games for these ages

#Distavie
Zenda : le maitre du stress
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Remember

The ages presented are approximative. Each young adult develops at their own pace, and different skills often emerge simultaneously. The different areas of development (language, motor, cognitive and socio-emotional) influence each other. It is the young adult’s overall progress and development that is important, rather than reaching a specific stage at a particular age.