Social-Emotional

Development

Growing Hearts And Minds

At Peppermint Stick Preschool, social-emotional learning is part of everything we do. We help kids understand their feelings, build friendships, and develop empathy, problem-solving, and self-control—skills that set them up for lifelong success.

Our teachers guide children through real-life moments: calming frustration, resolving conflicts, and celebrating kindness. We also use tools like our “emotion of the week” and puppets to explore feelings in fun, age-appropriate ways.

We follow the Pyramid Model, a proven framework that supports positive behavior and emotional growth. When children feel safe and loved, they’re free to learn, connect, and grow with confidence. Here, they gain the skills to be good friends, caring classmates, and resilient individuals.

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Key Benefits

Emotional Security

Our teachers build warm, trusting relationships with each child. When kids feel supported—whether they’re sad or celebrating—they gain the confidence to explore and try new things. This sense of security eases separation from parents, lowers anxiety, and helps children thrive in the classroom.

Improved Self-Regulation

With steady routines and gentle guidance, our kids learn to manage emotions and behaviors. We teach calming tools like deep breaths, calm-down corners, and using words to express feelings. Over time, tantrums decrease and positive responses increase—like asking for help or saying “I don’t like that” instead of reacting physically. These self-regulation skills set the stage for healthy emotional growth.

Social Skills & Friendship

We help children build self-control through calm routines and consistent support. They practice simple strategies—like deep breaths, calm-down corners, and using words instead of actions. As they grow, outbursts fade and confident, respectful responses take their place. These skills form the foundation for emotional resilience.

Empathy & Kindness

We actively nurture empathy – the ability to understand and care about how someone else feels. Teachers model empathy (“Oh, I see Juan is sad that his tower fell. Let’s help him build a new one!”) and praise children when they show concern for others. We use books and stories to discuss emotions and perspectives. Over time, children begin to naturally comfort a classmate who’s crying or celebrate a friend’s accomplishments. This caring attitude often extends to home as well (you may catch your child being extra gentle with a sibling or pet). Developing empathy in early years leads to

Confidence and Independence

We help kids grow confident by encouraging independence and celebrating effort. Whether it’s putting on shoes or drawing a picture, we cheer them on every step of the way. When challenges come up, we guide them through—with support, not shortcuts. This “I can do it!” mindset helps them face new skills and transitions, like starting kindergarten, with courage and curiosity.

What Makes Us Different

Guiding Behavior with Compassion

We see behavior as communication, not something to punish. If a child throws toys, we look deeper—maybe they’re bored or seeking attention—then meet that need while teaching a better response. Using approaches like Conscious Discipline and the Pyramid Model, we set clear limits with empathy and guidance. It’s not about strict rules—it’s about helping kids learn how to express themselves in healthy, respectful ways.

Trained to Support Every Child

Our teachers receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care, positive behavior strategies, and early childhood mental health. We also work with mental health consultants when extra support is needed. These added steps aren’t common in every preschool—but we take them because early childhood matters. Our team is equipped to meet each child’s unique needs with skill and compassion.