Developing a secure emotional environment in the EYFS

Developing a secure emotional environment in the EYFS.

During my time as a University Lecturer,  I would ask the students the following question – What are the three learning environments in the EYFS? They would always say the inside and outside learning environment and would then struggle to name the third.  Of course, the learning environment they failed to name and indeed the most important one in any EYFS setting is the emotional environment.

What is the emotional environment?

The emotional environment is created by everyone within a school/setting.  It is important all children feel safe and secure and know that their feelings will be accepted and supported.  A secure emotional environment reflects an ethos that is warm and stimulating and where diversity is embraced and reflected.

The types of learner’s children become are influenced by the experiences they have within their learning environments.  The emotional learning environment plays an important role in providing the building blocks for independent exploration and learning.

How do you develop a secure emotional environment?

A secure emotional environment is developed through a mixture of ethos, organisation and interactions.  To embed a secure emotional environment in your setting it is important to

• Listen to and understand children’s motivations
• Respect different responses
• Share in the joy of children’s discoveries
• Help children to take risks in their learning
• Help children make connections in their learning

It is also very important to create an enabling emotional environment that encourages all children to be independent and confident in their own learning.  The emotional environment should also provide children with the time, space and freedom to explore, learn and find things out.

For more ideas and support on developing a secure emotional environment in your setting, please get in touch.