Researchers from Norway's SELMA project asked a simple but rarely asked question: what do young children themselves think about social-emotional learning (SEL)—activities meant to teach kindness, emotions, and friendship skills? They interviewed 19 five-year-olds about three types of guided play activities: interactive story time, educational videos about feelings, and hands-on collaborative projects.
The study focused on understanding which approaches actually engaged children, rather than just measuring whether programs "worked" by adult standards.
Hands-on activities won children over every time
When children could build, create, or solve problems together with classmates, they stayed engaged and excited. They felt ownership of what they were learning and could connect it directly to their own friendships and daily lives. This active participation—where children were doing something, not just observing—made the biggest impression on them.
Story time and videos only worked with real interaction
Stories and videos weren't bad in themselves, but how they were delivered mattered enormously. When a teacher stopped to ask questions, involved children in discussion, and stayed genuinely engaged, children loved it. When videos played without interaction or books were simply read aloud without participation, children's interest dropped noticeably. A present, interactive adult made all the difference.
Active learning beats passive consumption for Singapore nurseries
In Singapore's environment of structured learning and enrichment classes, this research offers an important reminder for parents: social-emotional skills cannot be passively absorbed. Five-year-olds learn emotions, sharing, and friendship through doing—building, talking, creating, and collaborating with peers. A carefully planned but distant lesson won't land the same way as one delivered with genuine connection and your child's active participation. This applies whether learning happens at nursery, at home, or in an enrichment class.
How to support social-emotional learning at home
- Create activities where your child builds, creates, or solves problems with you or peers—not just watching or listening passively.
- When reading stories or doing any learning together, pause frequently to ask questions and involve your child in discussion rather than delivering information one-way.
- Show up with genuine attention and engagement; your presence and interaction matter more than the activity itself.