While current education policy emphasizes academic achievement, it is argued that social-emotional learning (SEL) and cognitive abilities are important foundations of early academic success. This book reviews positive interrelationships among social-emotional learning (SEL), cognitive abilities, and academic achievement in early childhood.

The authors discuss how specific social-emotional competencies promote and are promoted by cognitive abilities. This book also assesses self-regulated learning and its relation to cognitive education; teaching and learning in natural environments; factual teaching and conceptual understanding in early childhood education; metacognition and student-centered teaching styles; and reciprocal teaching.