When was the last time someone hugged you? What kinds of emotions did you feel? Did you squeeze tightly? Did you let go too soon? The children in the Panda group are learning about hugs and the meaningful emotions behind them. As the children begin their day, the hugs start immediately upon entering the room. Some children might be sensitive from their transition away from their parents and may appreciate the extra emotional gesture, while others may need some alone time before engaging with their peers. While expressing emotion may seem like a simple thing, identifying and communicating how they feel is a huge developmental milestone for this age group.

The children have been developing language to help them navigate hugs between each other, using two-word phrases such as "no hug," "yes hug," "need space," and so on. They are learning to identify their own emotions and use spoken language to express themselves outwardly to the people around them. The children, in turn, are also learning the clues and cues that help them understand someone else's emotions, and how to respond accordingly. For example, if one child says they do not want a hug, then the other child cannot insist upon the hug just because that is what they want. They are gaining experience and developing sensitivity that allows them to respect the other child's emotional state and wait until the child is ready for the hug. "The children are learning to navigate this emerging behavior [hugging] which is a learned behavior, and we, as teachers, are guiding them through these first experiences," said Lead Teacher Ashley. For example, some children will come up behind someone and hug them, which can surprise the children and upset them. The teachers then help guide children through these interactions by telling the children to hug "tummy-to-tummy" so that they can see each other's face and no one will be surprised. This creates some of the most heartfelt moments between the children as they comfort their friends who may be upset at any point throughout the day.

We may not think that boundaries are something children understand at this age, but these children have proven otherwise. Some children stretch out their arms to their peers, gesturing to see if a hug is acceptable at that time and respecting the boundaries of the other child if they do or do not want a hug. This also crosses over into their social-emotional development as they learn about their own emotions and how other people may feel.

All of the hugs create a positive environment throughout the Panda group and even affect other parts of the day, like mealtime. Lead Teacher Ashley expressed that earlier in the year, children would sit down for their meal and then leave as soon as they were done. However, now that hugging has brought forth so much more language from the children, there are more interactions and conversations that the children engage in. "They talk to each other, calling each other's names and waving at one another while they eat, and it's so fun to watch the child discover how to build relationships and the basics of trust and understanding, "she said.

A hug is a simple act of kindness that can be overlooked as adults, but the children of the Panda group have reminded us of how meaningful a hug can be.