The Power of the Emotional Environment
For babies and young children who rely on adults as their primary caregivers, creating an emotionally enabling environment means providing nurturing spaces filled with warmth, safety, and responsive interactions. These environments should also offer stimulation to support learning and development.
This unique and important stage of early development requires emotionally rich places and spaces where young children can explore, investigate, and engage in meaningful play experiences, all while remaining within proximity of their Key Person. Such environments foster a sense of belonging and allow babies and young children to experiment, make discoveries, and think critically.
An emotionally enabling environment is fundamental to both personal and cognitive growth.
Our Commitment to Emotionally Enabling Practice
The Sefton Early Years Team recognises and values the power of the emotional environment. Through training and projects such as SSTEW and Emotional Health and Wellbeing, we have made the emotional environment a key priority.
A Visit from Professor Dr Ferre Laevers
In January 2024, we were delighted to welcome the esteemed Professor Dr Ferre Laevers to Bootle Town Hall. He delivered an inspiring session to an audience of dedicated Sefton practitioners, focusing on experiential learning and the well-renowned Leuven Scales of wellbeing and involvement.
Reflecting on children’s levels of wellbeing and involvement - both individually and in groups - provides a valuable platform for evaluating emotional environments. This reflection helps us to critically assess and design spaces where babies and young children can feel emotionally secure, thrive, and flourish in every way.
How We Can Support You
The Early Years Team is here to support you through our training offer and bespoke visits. We are committed to helping you in your journey to design or develop your own emotionally enabling provision.
For further information, advice, or support in enhancing the emotional environment in your setting, please contact your Quality Improvement Officer, Early Intervention Officer, or Early Years School Inclusion Consultant.
For more information about supporting the emotional wellbeing of your team, please see the section on Your Wellbeing Matters.
Resources
Watch this short, inspirational talk, where Professor Dr Ferre Laevers explains how wellbeing and involvement are essential contributors to high-quality learning in early years settings.
See below for a list of more excellent resources relating to The Emotional Environment.