Together We RISE: Tapping Educator Agency to Guide Children’s Social and Emotional Learning
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Social and emotional development are important aspects of the early childhood years. Children who develop these competencies are more likely to have positive academic experiences beyond preschool as well as positive lifetime outcomes (Alzahrani et al. 2019; NASEM 2024). Promoting and nurturing this developmental domain are key responsibilities for early childhood educators. This article details a multifaceted, holistic approach for integrating social and emotional learning within the preschool day and offers ways that early childhood educators can adapt these practices to their own settings.
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Copyright © 2026 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. See permissions and reprints online at NAEYC.org/resources/permissions.
Sara D. Hooks, EdD, has been in the Department of Early Childhood Education at Towson University since August 2015. Her research and service interests focus on preparing teacher candidates to work effectively with children with diverse learning and behavioral needs and to engage families in meaningful ways. [email protected]
Jennifer K. Pett, MEd, is an assistant teaching professor at Towson University, where she has instructed teacher candidates for over 15 years. She has also worked as a literacy professional developer in urban schools, a curriculum developer, and an elementary classroom teacher.
Janese Daniels, PhD, is chair of the Department of Early Childhood Education at Towson University. With a focus on children at risk, she has taught and advised many students, published extensive research, presented at conferences, and served on various committees.
Nicole Vasanth, MEd, is the director of the Towson University Child Care Center. She also serves on the College of Education (COE) University leadership team, teaches graduate courses in the Department of Early Childhood Education, and partners with COE faculty to support teacher candidates during supervised observations.