Personal, social and emotional development resources

These resources will help you when reviewing your current curriculum to make sure you are meeting the requirement of the revised personal, social and emotional development area of learning.

As you make changes to your curriculum consider what you want children to learn first and plan opportunities for them to achieve this.

What the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework says about personal, social and emotional development

Children’s personal, social and emotional development (PSED) is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives, and is fundamental to their cognitive development.

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Underpinning their personal development are the important attachments that shape their social world.

Strong, warm and supportive relationships with adults enable children to learn how to understand their own feelings and those of others.

Children should be supported to manage emotions, develop a positive sense of self, set themselves simple goals, have confidence in their own abilities, to persist and wait for what they want and direct attention as necessary.

Through adult modelling and guidance, they will learn how to look after their bodies, including healthy eating, and manage personal needs independently.

Through supported interaction with other children they learn how to make good friendships, co-operate and resolve conflicts peaceably.

These attributes will provide a secure platform from which children can achieve at school and in later life.


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Other early years resources from the Department for Education

Early years child development training

Free online training providing an overview of child development and practical advice for supporting children in your setting.

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