Early Childhood Social-Emotional Supports

Early Childhood Social-Emotional Supports

Early Childhood Social-Emotional Supports

Supporting Educators.
Strengthening Classrooms.
Helping Young Children Thrive.

Relationship-based mental health consultation for early childhood settings

The Early Childhood Social-Emotional Supports (ECSES) program partners with childcare providers to strengthen the social-emotional and behavioral well-being of children from birth to five. We work right inside childcare settings to support educators, enrich classroom environments, and build strong partnerships with families through prevention, early intervention, and relationship-based consultation.

A Public Health Approach

Strengthening the Adults Who Shape Early Childhood

Early childhood educators are increasingly supporting children with complex social-emotional and behavioral needs while managing busy classrooms. ECSES was created to give educators practical, individualized support, building capacity so the strategies remain long after our consultation concludes.

Publicly funded childcare centers

Family Child Care Homes

Teachers and classroom staff

Program directors and administrators

Children from birth through age five

Families of enrolled children

Strengthen social-emotional teaching practices

Address challenging behaviors with confidence

Build positive teacher-child relationships

Create inclusive, responsive classrooms

Support emotional regulation and social skills

Reduce stress in challenging moments

Where we serve: Services are provided on-site within participating childcare programs throughout Palm Beach County. Delivering support right in the classroom lets our Developmental Specialists collaborate with educators in real time and implement strategies in children's natural learning environment.

Our Tiered Model of Support

Meeting Every Classroom Where It Is

ECSES support flexes to fit each classroom's needs, from strengthening everyday practices for all, to individualized consultation for children who need more.

1

Universal Supports

For all participating classrooms

Preventive, everyday strategies that strengthen classroom climate and social-emotional teaching for every child.

Classroom observations and feedback
Consultation and coaching
Professional development
Support with climate, routines, transitions, and social-emotional teaching
Preventive strategies that strengthen everyday practice

2

Targeted Supports

For early concerns needing additional support

Focused strategies and Small Group Play that build specific skills for children and classrooms who need a little more.

Targeted classroom and child strategies
Small Group Play for social-emotional skill building
Social-emotional skill-building activities
Emotional regulation and peer relationship supports
Classroom support plans
Family collaboration and ongoing coaching

3

Intensive Supports

For individualized, coordinated consultation

Individualized consultation and coordinated support for children who need the most focused, hands-on partnership.

Individual child observations
Individualized child, family, and classroom plans
Intensive educator consultation and implementation support
Family consultations and problem-solving
Coordination with community providers and referrals
Frequent follow-up and progress monitoring

A Core ECSES Service

Small Group Play

Small Group Play offers targeted social-emotional skill building for children identified through observation and screening. Facilitated by our Developmental Specialists in a supportive, play-based environment right inside your childcare program, these groups help children grow the skills that set the stage for connection, confidence, and learning.

Recognizing & expressing emotions Self-regulation Positive peer interactions Turn-taking & sharing Cooperative play Problem-solving Conflict resolution Confidence & belonging

How the Program Works

A Collaborative, Relationship-Based Process

Each participating program is paired with an ECSES Developmental Specialist who partners with teachers and administrators through an ongoing consultation process. Grounded in our A Way of Being with Children framework and a HOPE-informed, trauma-responsive approach, our work is collaborative and strengths-based, centered on relationships and designed to support and empower the educators who shape children's earliest experiences.

1

Initial Partnership

We meet with program leadership to understand the strengths, priorities, and classroom needs that will shape our work together.

2

Classroom Observation

We observe routines, interactions, and the learning environment to identify strengths and opportunities for growth.

3

Collaborative Planning

Together we develop a Quality Improvement Plan with practical goals, action steps, and classroom-focused strategies.

4

Consultation & Coaching

We provide reflective consultation, modeling, coaching, problem-solving, and individualized classroom support.

5

Family Partnership

We support educators in strengthening communication with families and connecting them to resources when needed.

6

Progress Monitoring

Through follow-up observations, reflective conversations, and ongoing coaching, we monitor growth and adjust supports over time.

Resource Hub

Tools for Every Caregiver

Every childcare center, family, and educator is welcome to these free, evidence-based resources — grounded in A Way of Being with Children and our HOPE, trauma-informed approach. Filter by who you are or what you need.

For Everyone

Co-Regulation Made Simple

How to lend your calm so a child can find theirs — the single most important skill a caregiver can offer.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Everyone

Responding to Challenging Behavior

Read the need beneath the behavior and respond in ways that teach, connect, and build trust.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Parents

Connection Is Protection

Simple, everyday ways to build the safe, caring relationships that protect a child through stress.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Everyone

Play Is Healing

Why play is how young children process their world, express big feelings, and build resilience.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Educators

Predictability and Routines

How steady routines help a child feel secure enough to explore, learn, and grow.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Educators

Transitions and Challenging Moments

Getting through drop-offs, endings, and other tricky moments with less stress.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Educators

Creating Nurturing Environments

Shaping spaces at home and in the classroom that feel safe, calm, and welcoming.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Everyone

Emotional Climate

Setting the emotional tone that lets children settle, feel safe, and thrive.

Download Tip Sheet →

For Parents

Ways to Play

Child-centered play, sensory activities, art, and nature play to strengthen the parent-child bond.

Explore Activities →

No resources match that combination yet — try another filter.

Watch & Learn

A Way of Being Video Library

Short, expert-led videos on connection, co-regulation, play, and HOPE-informed strategies for young children. Each one offers practical tools you can use today.

A Way of Being

Building Connection & Resilience

Discover how everyday interactions between a caring adult and a young child build the foundation for lifelong social-emotional health.

A Way of Being

Supporting Big Feelings

Practical, gentle ways to help young children move through big emotions — and how your calm becomes their calm.

A Way of Being

Connection Before Correction

Why children calm down and learn best when they feel connected first — and how to lead with relationship in every interaction.

A Way of Being

The Power of Play

How play helps children make sense of their world, process feelings, and build the skills they will use for a lifetime.

A Way of Being

The Power of Empathy

When you slow down and truly tune in to a young child, something powerful happens: they feel understood. Empathy isn't about having the right words — it's about being present enough to notice what a child is feeling and letting them know they're not alone in it.

Browse the Full Video Library →

The Heart of Our Work

A Way of Being with Children

Everything we do begins here. A Way of Being with Children is more than a program or a curriculum. It is a way of showing up for children, grounded in the science of the developing brain and the belief that safe, caring relationships are what help children heal and thrive. At its core are the four things every child needs from the adults in their life, what Dr. Tina Payne Bryson calls being Safe, Seen, Soothed, and Secure.

A Way of Being with Children manual cover

We don't ask "what's wrong with this child?" We ask "what does this child need?"

That simple shift changes everything. When the adults in a child's life lead with connection, curiosity, and trust, children feel safe enough to grow. A Way of Being gives educators and caregivers a shared language and practical tools to meet children with understanding, especially in the hardest moments.

Safe, Seen, Soothed & Secure Brain Science The HOPE Framework Relational Health Trauma-Responsive Connection Before Correction Play as Healing Co-Regulation

See It In Action

A Way of Being, in Practice

Explore the Framework

Videos

A growing library of short, expert-led videos on child development, connection, play, and HOPE-informed strategies.

Watch Videos →

Tip Sheets

Practical, one-page guides on connection, regulation, play, behavior, and routines, ready to download and use.

Browse Tip Sheets →

On-Demand Workshops

Self-paced workshops on prevention, child development, and trauma-informed care, available anytime on BeKidSafe.org.

Visit BeKidSafe.org →

Visit A Way of Being: Early Childhood →

Meet the HOPE Assistant

Questions About a Child? Just Ask.

The HOPE Assistant is a free, friendly guide to trauma- and HOPE-informed care, available anytime a question comes up. Ask about big feelings, bedtime, tantrums, transitions, or simple ways to connect with a child.

Its guidance is grounded in HOPE — Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences — the same approach behind A Way of Being with Children and the ECSES program.

Chat with the HOPE Assistant →

A helpful place to start — not a replacement for care from a professional.

HOPE Assistant

Here to help

My 4-year-old melts down every morning at drop-off. What can I do?

Drop-off is a big transition for little ones. A short, predictable goodbye ritual can help him feel safe — like a special handshake and "I always come back." Let's walk through a few gentle ideas together…

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

ECSES is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) program offered by Center for Child Counseling. We partner with childcare providers to strengthen the social-emotional and behavioral well-being of children from birth to five, working right inside the classroom through prevention, early intervention, and relationship-based consultation.

Our program is built on A Way of Being with Children, Center for Child Counseling's own framework grounded in the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) approach, brain science, and relational health. Rather than teaching a single discipline technique, we help educators build a whole way of showing up for children, one rooted in safe, caring relationships. It is the same approach woven through every Center for Child Counseling program, and it comes with a rich, freely available library of videos, tip sheets, and workshops that any childcare program can use.

ECSES is an ongoing support program. The length of services depends on the needs of the center, educator, and classroom. Our goal is for educators to develop and feel confident in the skills they need to support their children and sustain a warm, responsive classroom well after our consultation concludes.

Our Developmental Specialists partner with educators on a wide range of everyday social-emotional and behavioral moments, including:

Big feelings, tantrums, and meltdowns
Biting, hitting, and other challenging behaviors
Smoother transitions and predictable routines
Circle time and group engagement
Creating calming, welcoming classroom spaces
Helping children build self-regulation and coping skills
Strengthening teacher-child relationships

Our support always centers connection and understanding, asking "what does this child need?" rather than focusing on the behavior alone.

Participating programs must have a School Readiness or Children's Services Council (CSC) Scholarship contract through the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County. ECSES partners with publicly funded childcare centers and Family Child Care Homes throughout Palm Beach County. A selection process determines which programs receive direct services each cycle.

Absolutely. Every childcare center, family, and educator is welcome to the free resources on this page, including our tip sheets, videos, the HOPE Assistant, and the full A Way of Being: Early Childhood collection. These tools are grounded in the same HOPE and trauma-informed approach behind the ECSES program.

No. ECSES is collaborative and strengths-based. We partner alongside teachers and administrators to build capacity and confidence, meeting educators with the same care and understanding we hope they will offer children.

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial