Fostering social emotional skills in our children requires many of the same strategies that we use to help our kids gain any life skill– establishing a trusting relationship, modeling, and practice. Social-emotional development takes years, but research shows that this development influences a child’s self-confidence, empathy, and the ability to develop meaningful and lasting friendships and partnerships. Unlike walking or talking, which normally develops naturally in a child with little assistance, social and emotional intelligence must be fostered.