--- title: your child's kindergarten experience description: The social and emotional skills your child builds at kindergarten aren’t just preparation for school – they’re the building blocks of belonging, confidence, and lifelong learning. image: https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-129%20cropped-1.jpg --- ![ECMS_Logo_Teal_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/EMCS%20Logos/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About About Overview [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) (03) 8481 1100 [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) ###### Share on [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/your-childs-kindergarten-experience) [Follow us on LinkedIn](http://twitter.com/share?url=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/your-childs-kindergarten-experience) [Follow us on Twitter](mailto:?subject=ECMS&body=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/your-childs-kindergarten-experience) [Home](https://www.ecms.org.au/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) your child's kindergarten experience # Your child’s kindergarten experience #### Supporting social and emotional skills May 19, 2025, 10:00:00 AM By Damian Cowell Share Starting kindergarten is a big step. As families, we often focus on what children need to *know* before kinder or school. But it’s just as important to understand how they *feel* and how they’re learning to navigate social situations. The social and emotional skills your child builds at kindergarten aren’t just preparation for school – they’re the building blocks of belonging, confidence, and lifelong learning. At ECMS, we understand how essential this foundation is. That’s why we continue to partner with Melbourne City Mission (MCM) – our allied health provider of choice for services receiving School Readiness Funding. Their evidence-based guidance helps our teaching teams expertly support children and families in the emotional and social aspects of kindergarten life. **Emotional skills: Feeling it all, and learning how to express yourself** Emotional skills are what help children identify, express and manage their feelings. It’s not about always being “happy” – it’s about recognising emotions like sadness, excitement, frustration or anxiety, and learning what to do when we experience them, which is going to be often! As MCM explains: “It is ok for children to feel a variety of emotions… and they need to be able to let someone else know this in a safe way” (Melbourne City Mission, 2023, p. 1). These skills help children: - Say goodbye to family and caregivers at drop-off - Understand and respond to others’ emotions - Share attention, follow instructions, and manage disappointment At ECMS, we build these skills every day – through intentionality within routines, stories, play, and relationships. Our ECMS pedagogical framework encourages teams to recognise each child’s emotional development and tailor their support. In our blog [More Than Numbers](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/more-than-numbers) The Merrell Kindergarten showed how intentional teaching through maths games also builds emotional resilience – “children are more motivated to learn when they feel happy, relaxed, and connected to others.” **Social skills: Learning to be with others** Social development is just as critical – and it’s happening every time your child joins in play, comes to kindergarten, or asks for a turn with the paint brush. MCM outlines how social skills help children: - Communicate their needs - Join in group activities - Understand other perspectives - Build early friendships (Melbourne City Mission, 2023, p. 1). These aren't just school-readiness checklists – they’re daily experiences in the kindergarten environment. At ECMS, our relational pedagogy ensures children are supported in learning how to navigate friendships, resolve small conflicts, and thrive in shared environments. As Doncaster Park Kindergarten’s Nominated Supervisor and Early Childhood Teacher Renae Giannaros explained, “We incorporate the meanings and the experiences of place in teaching and learning – which extend beyond the walls of the kindergarten.” **How families can support these skills at home** At ECMS, we believe families are children’s first teachers. You know your child best. When you understand how social and emotional skills grow, you can create the best conditions for your child to flourish. Here are some practical ideas, drawn from MCM’s work and shaped for kindergarten-aged children: - **Talk about feelings** Use real moments: “You’re frowning – are you feeling frustrated?” Validate their feelings, and model your own: “I’m taking a deep breath because I’m feeling a bit frustrated.” - **Play games that build skills** Games like *snap*, *go fish*, or pretend play all help children learn turn-taking, perspective-taking and managing emotions when things don’t go their way. - **Read stories – and ask curious questions** Books are a powerful way to explore feelings and social situations. Ask, “How do you think that character feels?” or “What would you do in that situation?” - **Celebrate small moments of growth** Did your child ask to join a game at the park? Head into kindergarten more confidently? Use new skills to work through a disagreement? That’s worth celebrating. - **Keep the conversation going with your child’s educator** We’re here to work alongside you. Your insight helps us shape our intentional teaching and build the bridge between home and kindergarten. **Why this matters – and what the research says** The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0) reminds us that “Children’s learning is dynamic, complex and holistic. Physical, social, emotional, personal, spiritual, creative, cognitive and linguistic aspects of learning are all intricately interwoven” (AGDE, 2022, p. 14). Supporting social and emotional growth isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s the very heart of what we do. We see it every day. When a child communicates what they need, asks for help instead of walking away, or manages to sit with a new friend in group experiences – that’s learning in action. That’s readiness for learning. And more importantly, that’s life readiness. **We're in this together** Starting kindergarten brings new challenges – and new opportunities. By helping children build their emotional vocabulary and social confidence now, we give them the tools they need to connect, learn and thrive well beyond the walls of the kindergarten. If you need more support, don’t hesitate to chat with your child’s educator or service leader. At ECMS, we’re here to walk alongside your family, with empathy, knowledge, and care. **References** Australian Government Department of Education. (2022). *Belonging, being & becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (V2.0).* [https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf](https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf) Melbourne City Mission. (2023). *Emotional Skills for School Readiness.* [https://mcm.org.au](https://mcm.org.au) Melbourne City Mission. (2023). *Social Skills for School Readiness.* [https://mcm.org.au](https://mcm.org.au) ## Read On [![A teacher at Maribyrnong River Children's Centre with two children](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Playful%20Times%20Blog%20Images.png?width=352&name=Playful%20Times%20Blog%20Images.png)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/seamless-transitions-at-maribyrnong-river-childrens-centre) ### [Seamless Transitions at Maribyrnong River Children’s Centre](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/seamless-transitions-at-maribyrnong-river-childrens-centre) Maribyrnong River Children’s Centre (MRCC) is known for its deep commitment to nurturing children... [![two children socialising in a kindergarten](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-129%20cropped.jpeg?width=352&name=21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-129%20cropped.jpeg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/socialising) ### [Socialising](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/socialising) Human beings grow through connection. For young children, social development is central to how they... [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-03-03%20114340-1.png?width=352&name=Screenshot%202026-03-03%20114340-1.png)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/tea-time-a-small-ritual-that-helps-children-settle) ### [Tea time, a small ritual that helps children settle](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/tea-time-a-small-ritual-that-helps-children-settle) Before children can explore freely, they need to feel safe, known, and that they belong. Often... 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Northcote VIC 3070 ![ECMS_Logo_Teal_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Privacy Policy](https://www.ecms.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Privacy-Policy.pdf) © Copyright 2024 ECMS ABN: 13 012 989 761 [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ecmschildren) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-childhood-management-services/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/ecms_childhood/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Damian Cowell", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/author/damian-cowell" }, "dateModified" : "2025-05-19T00:00:00.330Z", "datePublished" : "2025-05-19T00:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "your child's kindergarten experience", "image" : [ "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-129%20cropped-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/your-childs-kindergarten-experience", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/Primary_Logo_Teal_Sml.jpg" }, "name" : "ECMS" } } ```