Serving families in Tustin, Irvine, and Santa Ana
In today’s rapidly changing world, parents in Tustin, Irvine, and Santa Ana are increasingly recognizing that academic success alone isn’t enough to prepare their children for future challenges. At Newport Ave Preschool, we understand that emotional intelligence forms the foundation for lifelong learning, healthy relationships, and personal resilience.
What Makes Social-Emotional Learning Crucial for Preschoolers?
Social-emotional development encompasses a child’s ability to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy, and maintain positive relationships. Research consistently shows that children who develop strong emotional intelligence in their early years demonstrate better academic performance, improved behavior, and enhanced mental health throughout their lives.
For families in the Tustin area, choosing a preschool that prioritizes social-emotional learning means investing in your child’s complete development. Newport Ave Preschool integrates evidence-based practices that help children aged 2-6 build these essential life skills in a nurturing, supportive environment.
Our Approach to Emotional Intelligence Development
1. Emotion Recognition and Vocabulary Building
Our experienced teachers in Tustin guide children through daily activities that help them identify and name their emotions. Through storytelling, role-playing, and interactive discussions, children learn to articulate feelings like frustration, excitement, disappointment, and joy. This emotional vocabulary becomes the cornerstone for effective communication and self-regulation.
2. Mindfulness and Self-Regulation Techniques
We incorporate age-appropriate mindfulness practices that help children learn to pause, breathe, and think before reacting. Our “calm down corners” provide safe spaces where children can practice self-soothing techniques, giving them tools they’ll use throughout their educational journey and beyond.
3. Empathy Development Through Community Service
Newport Ave Preschool regularly engages in community service projects that connect our students with the broader Tustin, Irvine, and Santa Ana communities. Whether we’re creating care packages for local shelters or participating in neighborhood clean-up efforts, these experiences help children understand different perspectives and develop compassion for others.
4. Conflict Resolution Skills
Rather than simply separating children during disagreements, our trained staff guide students through structured conflict resolution processes. Children learn to express their feelings, listen to others, and work together to find mutually satisfactory solutions. These skills prove invaluable as they progress through elementary school and beyond.
The Newport Ave Difference: Measuring Emotional Growth
Unlike traditional academic assessments, measuring social-emotional development requires careful observation and documentation. Our teachers maintain detailed portfolios that track each child’s progress in areas such as:
- Self-awareness and emotional recognition
- Impulse control and delayed gratification
- Peer interaction and friendship-building skills
- Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Leadership and teamwork participation
Parents receive regular updates on their child’s social-emotional development through our comprehensive reporting system, ensuring alignment between home and school approaches to emotional learning.
Supporting Families Throughout Orange County
We recognize that social-emotional development doesn’t end at the classroom door. Newport Ave Preschool offers regular parent workshops and resources to help Tustin, Irvine, and Santa Ana families continue nurturing emotional intelligence at home. Our family support specialists work closely with parents to address specific concerns and celebrate developmental milestones.
Ready to Learn More?
Contact Newport Ave Preschool today to schedule a tour and discover how we’re building emotionally intelligent, confident learners in the heart of Tustin. Call us or visit our website to learn more about our comprehensive early childhood education programs.