The Protective Factors are strengths all families have and can build upon that support resilient, thriving children and families. They are:

• Parental Resilience
• Nurturing & Attachment
• Concrete Support in Times of Need
• Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
• Social & Emotional Competence of Children
• Social Connections

These factors help to reduce stress, enhance wellbeing, and support parent-child relationships which are foundational for healthy development in children. This month, our focus is on Social and Emotional Competence of Children. Children who are socially and emotionally competent can successfully engage with adults and peers. This is dependent on their stage of development and having been coached by the important adults in their life.

Just like the other developmental domains, social and emotional competence is nurtured and practiced. Parents and other caregivers play an important role as their child’s emotional coach. Being aware of your own feelings and being sensitive to your child’s emotions helps their social-emotional development. This is certainly easier said than done. Are there times when your child’s emotions feel like an inconvenience or trigger you? You are not alone! Sometimes, our child’s emotions and behaviors trigger feelings about our own childhood experiences. This can be surprising and challenging, but please know we are here if you would like help in navigating the complexities of your and your child’s emotions. Email parentingcommunitieslc@bldhd.org, give us a call (231) 256-0227, or join us at a playgroup so we can connect.

Our children’s social-emotional development is so closely connected to our own. If we come from a place of acceptance and care for our own emotional states, we are better able to give acceptance and care to our children’s emotional states.