For many parents in Oakleigh East and across the City of Monash, the journey towards school readiness can feel both exciting and daunting. It’s natural to wonder whether your child will be ready for the rigours of primary school – and all too easy to focus on academic milestones like counting, reading and writing. But recent research and expert consensus both point to a different and perhaps more powerful, predictor of school success: social-emotional competence.
What Is Social-Emotional Competence?
Social-emotional competence refers to a child’s ability to understand and manage their feelings, interact positively with others, navigate challenges and express themselves with confidence. This includes skills like self-regulation, empathy, resilience, cooperation and problem-solving. These aren’t just “soft” skills – they’re the bedrock of lifelong wellbeing and learning.
Why Social-Emotional Skills Trump Academics Early On
While academic skills are certainly valuable, mounting evidence suggests that social-emotional development takes centre stage in the early years. Children who are confident, resilient and able to get along with others are better equipped to embrace new experiences and challenges. They’re more likely to settle into classrooms, form positive friendships and respond well to guidance from teachers.
A child who can manage big feelings, ask for help and keep trying when faced with setbacks is set up for a smoother transition to school. Conversely, even the brightest child academically may struggle if they find it difficult to make friends, share, or cope with frustration.
The Oakleigh East Perspective
In Oakleigh East and the wider Monash community, early learning centres and kindergartens are recognising the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) as part of their core curriculum. Instead of drilling numbers and letters, educators are creating environments where children can explore, collaborate and build relationships with their peers.
Simple experiences – like group story time, imaginative play, or negotiating roles in the sandpit – all help young children make sense of their emotions and learn how to navigate the social world. Through these everyday moments, children develop independence, confidence and a strong sense of belonging.
How Parents Can Foster Social-Emotional Growth
As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Everyday interactions provide countless opportunities to nurture social-emotional skills. Here are some simple tips:
- Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and name their emotions.
- Model positive ways to handle frustration or disappointment.
- Read stories together and discuss how characters solve problems or support one another.
- Arrange playdates and opportunities for your child to interact with others.
- Celebrate effort and persistence, not just outcomes.
Setting Up for School – and Life
When parents and educators work together to support social-emotional development, children in Oakleigh East and surrounds start school with the confidence and resilience they need to thrive. Academics will come in time, but a strong social-emotional foundation ensures your child is not only ready for school, but for life’s many adventures beyond the classroom.