- Early Childhood
At Hangzhou International School (HIS), students can join Early Years 1 (EY1) from the age of two, with most of our students turning three throughout the school year.
At this age, EY1 is often their first experience of regular socializing with other children and adults who are not family members.
Outside of school, some children may already have friendships, however, it is also common for adults to manage many conflicts before they occur, or to structure social interactions, so children do not have to navigate them independently.
As a result, many EY1 children begin school with social skills that are still developing, and one of our most important goals throughout the school year is to support social and emotional development.
How do we begin?
Social skills take time to develop, and practice is essential. School is a valuable setting for children to practice because it offers daily opportunities to interact, share, collaborate, and solve problems with other children. These interactions often happen spontaneously, and children may not yet understand how to respond in different situations.
To support children during this important stage, in EY1 we hold weekly social-emotional sessions that cover a wide range of topics, such as emotions, class and school agreements, friendship, safe and appropriate use of the body, handling conflict, sharing, taking turns, and helping others.
We use a variety of strategies during these sessions. Children take part in group discussions, listen to books, and practice through adult modeling of social situations and conversations.
We may also use short educational resources to reinforce social and emotional learning, create class agreements together, and play games that encourage safe interaction.
What can families do if a conflict happens?
During this stage of development, children begin to absorb social-emotional learning, but they are not yet able to self-regulate independently. Conflicts are therefore normal and expected.
Interactions between young children are often fast, physical, and sometimes challenging. Importantly, these moments can be necessary for learning. Even when adults supervise closely, it is not possible to prevent every conflict. What we can do is respond promptly and help children learn the expected behavior.
At school, teachers intervene to support children in resolving the issue appropriately and, when needed, guide children in repairing relationships after a conflict.
If a teacher shares a message about a conflict, or if your child reports an incident at home, please do not worry, this is normal. If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We are always willing to provide guidance and practical advice to support you at home.
When children need extra support
Some children experience difficulties more often than others. These children may benefit from additional support. At school, we provide help on a case-by-case basis.
Strategies may include social stories tailored to a child’s needs, communication with families, individual or small-group social-emotional sessions, and consistent modelling of appropriate behavior.
Progress is not always immediate
Learning in EY1 does not follow a straight line. Children need repetition, time, and opportunities to practice before new skills become part of their routine. It is important for families to be patient.
At the same time, patience does not mean lowering expectations. Clear boundaries and agreed expectations should remain consistent and be reinforced whenever needed.
How families can support at home
Families can strengthen children’s social-emotional learning by reinforcing expectations at home, modeling safe behavior, and maintaining open communication with teachers.
If you are unsure how to respond to a particular situation, please speak with your child’s teacher. Teachers will be happy to help and ensure there is alignment between home and school.
Social-emotional learning of all our learners, no matter their age, is a shared responsibility. With consistent support, practice, and patience, EY1 children gradually build the skills they need to interact safely, respectfully, and confidently with others.