The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has introduced the Shaping Us Framework, a groundbreaking guide highlighting the importance of social and emotional development in early childhood. This framework identifies 30 essential skills that help shape a child’s future, categorising them into six key areas. As nannies, we are in a unique and privileged position to foster these skills in a child’s home—one of the safest and most nurturing environments for learning and growth.
While physical and cognitive development milestones are crucial, social and emotional skills are the foundation that links them all together, helping children understand themselves, build relationships, and navigate the world. Let’s explore the six categories of the Shaping Us Framework and discuss how nannies can actively encourage these skills in their daily caregiving.
1. Know Ourselves: Developing Self-Awareness
Understanding their own identity is one of the first steps in a child’s emotional journey. Self-awareness helps children recognise their likes, dislikes, strengths, and emotions, building confidence and resilience.
How Nannies Can Encourage This:
- Engage in mirror play with babies, pointing out facial expressions and naming emotions.
- Encourage toddlers to express preferences, such as choosing clothes or snacks, to promote decision-making.
- Provide opportunities for self-reflection, such as asking, “What made you happy today?”
2. Manage Our Emotions: Learning Self-Regulation
Emotional regulation is the ability to understand and manage feelings, which is key to handling frustration, anxiety, and excitement in a healthy way.
How Nannies Can Encourage This:
- Teach children to identify emotions by using books, flashcards, or drawing faces with different expressions.
- Create a ‘calm-down corner’ with soft toys, sensory bottles, and breathing exercises for moments of distress.
- Model healthy emotional expression by verbalising your feelings, e.g., “I feel a bit frustrated, so I’m going to take a deep breath.”
3. Focus Our Thoughts: Enhancing Attention and Cognitive Control
Children need to develop the ability to concentrate, plan, and problem-solve. Strengthening these executive function skills prepares them for learning and decision-making.
How Nannies Can Encourage This:
- Introduce age-appropriate puzzles and memory games to improve concentration.
- Play turn-taking games that encourage patience and attention, such as “Simon Says” or board games.
- Establish consistent routines, which provide predictability and help children understand cause and effect.
4. Communicate with Others: Developing Language and Expression
Communication is at the heart of emotional and social development. Children must learn to express their needs, understand others, and develop active listening skills.
How Nannies Can Encourage This:
- Read books together and ask open-ended questions about the characters’ emotions and actions.
- Use role-play activities, such as pretending to be in a shop or restaurant, to practice conversational skills.
- Encourage children to use words instead of gestures when expressing needs, guiding them gently when they struggle.
5. Nurture Our Relationships: Building Positive Connections
Healthy relationships with caregivers, peers, and family members provide emotional security and shape a child’s ability to connect with others.
How Nannies Can Encourage This:
- Organise playdates or group activities to teach cooperation, sharing, and empathy.
- Model positive social interactions by demonstrating kindness and active listening.
- Support attachment and bonding by being responsive to a child’s emotions and needs, providing reassurance and affection.
6. Navigate Our Surroundings: Adapting to Change and Challenges
Children must learn to engage with their environment, handle new situations, and build resilience when faced with challenges.
How Nannies Can Encourage This:
- Take children on outings to new places (parks, museums, playgroups) to foster curiosity and adaptability.
- Encourage problem-solving by letting children attempt small challenges on their own before stepping in to help.
- Normalise setbacks by reassuring children that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth.
Further Learning for Nannies
To deepen your understanding of emotional coaching and child development, consider these additional resources:
- Emotion Coaching Training (London School of Childcare Studies): Teaches the science of emotions and practical coaching techniques. childcarestudies.co.uk
- Children’s Emotional Health Course (Freckles): Online training focusing on emotional well-being and practical activities. freckleschildcare.co.uk
- PACEY Behaviour Management Course: A training program for early years professionals on managing emotions and behaviour effectively. pacey.org.uk
Final Thoughts
As nannies, we have an incredible opportunity to nurture social and emotional skills in children during their most formative years. The Shaping Us Framework serves as a vital guide, reminding us that emotional development is just as important as physical and intellectual growth. By incorporating small, intentional activities into daily routines, we can help shape confident, emotionally intelligent children who are ready to thrive in the world.