The social and emotional skills developed during early childhood are critical for laying the foundation of children’s development, including how they think, learn and behave. While this is well understood within both expert fields and among public perception, the Centre’s annual survey reports that less than half of people feel they have a good understanding of how these skills develop - 42% reported having ‘little or no understanding’.
The Framework aims to provide an accessible approach to talking about thirty social and emotional skills underpinning human development, and how these look during this early developmental stage.
Lynn Ang, who is Professor of Early Childhood Education at UCL IOE, was part of the advisory group for the research underpinning the framework's development which took place which took place between July 2023 and March 2024. Professor Eamon McCrory (UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences) was also part of this advisory group. The Framework’s technical report details the research and testing which created the conceptual model on which the framework is based.
In the foreword to the report, The Princess of Wales said: “To create a physically and mentally healthier society, we must reset, restore, and rebalance…"
“That means taking a profound look at ourselves and our own behaviours, emotions, and feelings. It means getting much better at acting with compassion and empathy towards one another… better understanding how we can protect and build upon what connects and unites us… and acknowledging that society is something we build together, through the actions we take every day."
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.”
To help launch the Framework report, Professor Ang has written a guest essay published today that highlights how culture – defined as the values, norms and practices distinct to a particular society – interacts with these skills.
She reflects on the importance of cultural diversity and how early education settings can contribute positively by creating a culturally sensitive environment.
The Shaping Us Framework highlights a poignant message that social and emotional development is fundamental for human development, especially during the early childhood years as young children begin to build relationships and explore the world around them.”
Professor Ang added: “It has been a privilege working with colleagues at the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood over the last eighteen months on this important initiative. It is wonderful to see the project finally come to fruition."
Professor McCrory and Professor Peter Fonagy (also UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences) are also founding members of the Centre's Advisory Group, and they were also involved in the framework’s development. Professor Fonagy’s guest essay can also be read on the Shaping Us website.
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Top: Maggie Stephenson / The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Image illustrates the six skill clusters: know ourselves, manage our emotions, focus our thoughts, communicate with others, nurture our relationships, and explore the world.
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