Nursery World - EYFS best practice: Prime time ... Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The right kind of experiences in the earliest years build the nerve networks in the brain that a child needs for good PSED. Caregivers carry a huge responsibility, says Anne O'Connor

Like the other Prime areas of development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is fundamental to a child's well-being and all later learning. What we are coming to understand is that brain development is intrinsically linked to these Prime areas and that the right kind of experiences repeated consistently in the earliest years will build the nerve networks in the brain that a child needs to ensure good development.

Educational programme

The educational programme for PSED in the revised EYFS states that: 'Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.' (Revised Statutory Framework, paragraph 1.6)

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