Domain
Social-Emotional Development
The growing capacity to understand and manage emotions, build secure relationships, regulate behavior, and develop empathy. Recognized by Head Start ELOF and CDC as a foundational domain that underpins all other learning.
Ages 0–72 months
Skills
Seeks Comfort from Familiar Adults
Infant or toddler turns to trusted adults for comfort and expects positive responses.
Expresses a Range of Emotions Infant or toddler shows a widening range of emotions through faces, sounds, gestures, and words.
Discovers Self and Others Infant or toddler explores their own body and grows aware of self as separate from others.
Seeks Help from Adults Infant or toddler communicates needs and asks familiar adults for help.
Sense of Belonging in Family Toddler anticipates familiar routines and identifies as a member of a family.
Shows Confidence in Own Abilities Toddler shows and shares new skills, seeking encouragement from familiar people.
Shows Interest in Other Children Infant or toddler notices, watches, and begins to connect with other children.
Imitates and Plays with Peers Toddler imitates other children and joins in simple play with them.
Recognizes Own Name and Characteristics Toddler responds to their own name and notices characteristics of self and others.
Shows Care and Concern for Others Toddler notices others' distress and responds with concern or simple comfort.
Warms Up to New Adults Toddler uses a trusted adult as a secure base when meeting unfamiliar adults.
Identifies Basic Emotions Child names basic emotions in themselves and others.
Takes Turns Child takes turns with others during play, with support.
Manages Strong Feelings Child uses a simple strategy to calm down when upset, with support.
Connects With Trusted Adults Child builds warm relationships with adults and turns to them for help.
Cooperates With Adults Child uses polite social behavior and follows adult guidance.
Expresses Confidence in Self Child shows pride in accomplishments and positive feelings about who they are.
Makes Friends With Peers Child joins and sustains friendly play and conversation with other children.
Shows Empathy Child notices others' feelings and responds with care.
Solves Peer Conflicts Child uses simple problem-solving to work through conflicts with other children.
Early Atlas