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6.01.2026
Everyday SEL and You Teaches Self-Management for Preschoolers
UNR Extension’s Everyday SEL and You family engagement program aims to enhance young children’s social-emotional learning (SEL) while building their school readiness skills. One of the key areas covered is self-management. Self-management is the ability to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.
Key examples of self-management include:
- Managing one’s emotions in challenging situations
- Using healthy strategies to manage stress
- Demonstrating self-discipline and motivation
- Setting and working toward personal and shared goals
- Practicing planning and organizational skills
- Showing courage and initiative
- Building a sense of personal and collective responsibility
Self-management is one of the five core competencies identified by CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) and is supported by the Nevada Department of Education. Nevada’s Social Emotional Learning Standards are being developed by a statewide stakeholder workgroup facilitated by the Department of Education to align SEL domains from early childhood through grade 12. For the latest updates, visit https://doe.nv.gov. Social-emotional development is essential for helping children grow into healthy, confident, and capable adults.
The development of self-control and emotional regulation begins in infancy and continues throughout life. Supporting these skills early in childhood is a valuable investment—strong self-control predicts better school performance, positive peer relationships, and fewer behavioral difficulties later on. Children develop self-control and emotional regulation skills best when they experience:
- Structured environments: Spaces that are physically and emotionally safe, with consistent routines and predictable expectations. Structure helps children feel secure and understand what behaviors are appropriate.
- Supportive relationships: Warm, responsive, and caring relationships where children feel respected, comforted, and encouraged. Such relationships foster self-efficacy, a child’s belief in their ability to complete tasks and achieve goals, and give them confidence to practice new skills and learn from mistakes.
- Direct instruction and coaching: Parents and caregivers can model and teach self-regulation through guided practice, positive reinforcement, and opportunities to reflect. These moments help children understand that emotions are manageable and that calm, thoughtful choices are always possible.
Helping children enhance their self-management skills is an important part of supporting their overall development and well-being. Through engaging SEL activities, interactive book reading and family centered support, the Everyday SEL and You program fosters SEL growth for the entire family. To learn more and view the program schedule visit Calendar | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno.
