The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has today unveiled a groundbreaking new framework designed to improve awareness and understanding of social and emotional skills, as part of The Princess of Wales’ mission to foster a happier, healthier society. The framework, published on Sunday 2nd February, aims to inspire action across society by providing a universal and accessible way to talk about these critical skills, which are fundamental to human flourishing.
Why Social and Emotional Skills Matter
Social and emotional skills shape who we are, how we manage our emotions and thoughts, how we communicate with others, and how we explore the world around us. These skills are the foundation of our future mental and physical well-being, influencing our ability to form positive relationships, learn, work, and cope with adversity. As The Princess of Wales highlights in her foreword to the report:
“To create a physically and mentally healthier society, we must reset, restore, and rebalance… At the heart of all of this is the need for us to develop and nurture a set of social and emotional skills which we must prioritise if we are to thrive.”
The framework recognises that these skills begin to develop in early childhood, from pregnancy through to the age of five, and continue to be refined throughout our lives. However, the early years present a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for these skills, as the brain is at its most malleable during this period.
A Universal Framework for All
The new framework, developed through a global listening exercise involving academics, clinicians, and practitioners, offers a universal and flexible approach to understanding social and emotional skills. It groups thirty key skills into six clusters:
- Know ourselves – Understanding our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
- Manage our emotions – Processing and regulating emotions.
- Focus our thoughts – Learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Communicate with others – Sharing and receiving feelings, thoughts, and information.
- Nurture our relationships – Building and maintaining positive connections.
- Explore the world – Being curious, creative, and finding joy.
This framework is designed to cut across disciplines and engage a broad audience, from early years practitioners and parents to policymakers and employers. It provides a shared language to help drive action and investment in social and emotional development during early childhood and beyond.
The Role of Early Years Practitioners
For early years practitioners, the framework offers a valuable tool to support children’s development. It can be used to:
- Review activities and identify opportunities to strengthen different areas of children’s social and emotional skills.
- Engage with parents about the importance of these skills and how they can support their child’s development.
- Design interventions and programmes that promote social and emotional well-being.
The framework also highlights the critical role of relationships in early childhood development. Positive, nurturing interactions between parents, carers, and children are the most significant factor in shaping these skills. However, practitioners also play a vital role in creating a supportive environment that fosters emotional resilience, communication, and curiosity.
A Call to Action
The publication of the framework comes as the Centre’s annual public perceptions survey reveals a stark gap in understanding. While 94% of people believe social and emotional skills are important to happiness in adult life, 42% report having little or no understanding of how these skills develop during early childhood.
Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Centre for Early Childhood, emphasises the urgency of addressing this gap:
“It is time that we recognised and acted upon the undeniable significance of social and emotional skills and give them the recognition they deserve. Getting this right in early childhood could have a truly profound impact on the future of individuals and of our society.”
Practical Applications
The framework is not just a theoretical tool; it has practical applications across society. It can be used to:
- Inform conversations between practitioners and parents about children’s development.
- Design campaigns and programmes on topics ranging from young people’s mental health to corporate leadership.
- Support decision-making at local, regional, and national levels, helping agencies develop responses to support social and emotional development.
- Enhance organisational development, including well-being programmes, team building, and professional development strategies.
Looking Ahead
The first project based on the framework is set to be launched by The Princess of Wales later this week, marking the beginning of a broader effort to prioritise social and emotional skills across society.
For early years practitioners, this framework represents an opportunity to lead the way in nurturing the social and emotional skills that will help children thrive. By working together to raise awareness, inspire action, and invest in early childhood, we can build a society where every individual has the opportunity to flourish.
To explore the full framework and its applications, visit The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s website: The Shaping Us Framework – CFEC
The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood is committed to creating a happier, healthier society by prioritising the development of social and emotional skills from the earliest years of life.
