Supporting Your Child’s Emotional & Social Growth

3/31/2026

Christen Timmons, PS/LS Dean of Wellness

As parents, we naturally focus on physical milestones like walking and talking. We seek the guidance of our pediatricians & the advice from our mom friends to confirm that our babies are doing what they’re “supposed” to be doing, when they’re supposed to be doing it. But emotional and social development are just as important. These skills shape how children interact as family members, friends, and students. These milestones are the foundation of the lessons your student receives on a monthly basis.

Emotional Milestones

Emotional vocabulary: Help your child name and understand feelings. Demonstrate this for them with your own emotions. Step in and name an emotion for them when they can’t. All feelings are okay. Remember: when emotions are high, kids can’t hear.
Coping skills: Create a calm down box or calm down corner in your home. Let them catch you using these tools to manage your own emotions. Co-regulate with them before letting them do it on their own and praise them when they choose a healthy coping skill. When kids learn to calm down, they can begin to think clearly and respond instead of react.
Perspective taking: Understanding other’s feelings is easier when theirs are regulated. These are simple conversations you can have while watching a show together or reading a book. Questions like, how do you think that made them feel? Is this a big problem or a little problem? can help them become more aware.
Empathy: Learning to care about others is achievable when they are able to see from other’s perspectives. Empathy is a learned skill & is easier to teach when kids are experiencing some kind of need of their own. Circle back to these moments and discuss it with them.
Resourcefulness: Solving problems, overcoming challenges, and not giving up are lifelong skills. We want children to learn how to work through challenges, not avoid them. Support your child by encouraging problem-solving, asking guiding questions instead of fixing everything and by celebrating effort, not just outcomes.

Social Milestones

Awareness: Skills like listening, taking turns, following directions & staying calm all require awareness of others. Playing card games & board games at home can enhance these skills.
Reciprocity: This is how children learn to show interest in others by asking questions & engaging in back & forth conversation. Think of it as table tennis with a conversation. Model these types of conversations at home & practice simple questions your child can ask friends. (i.e. What did you do this weekend? Did you win your game? What’s your favorite animal?)
Ownership: Even when it’s hard, practicing taking responsibility, apologizing, and making things right will positively influence their relationships with their peers & build strong social skills. Demonstrate this for your child at home in the way you show ownership.
Boundaries: Healthy boundaries help children feel safe, learn self-control, and respect others. Using strong & kind words + tone of voice builds confidence and respect. Touching boundaries are a good place to start.

Every child develops at their own pace. Some days will feel like a win, others will feel challenging and all of that is normal. Our goal is not perfection, but illustrations of progress being made in the way that kids understand their feelings, manage their reactions and build strong, healthy relationships. Thank you for trusting all of us with your children. It takes a village. We are grateful to be a small part of yours- learning and growing alongside your children.

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Trinity School of Midland

3500 West Wadley Avenue, Midland Texas 79707 - Email: info@trinitymidland.org - Phone: (432) 697-3281 - Fax: (432) 697-7403 -