Developing Social-Emotional Skills in Early Childhood Supports Workforce Success in Mississippi

Businesses need employees who can communicate well with coworkers or customers, collaborate to solve problems, and persevere to overcome challenges. The foundation for these skills is laid in a child’s earliest years, as much of a child’s brain architecture is developed during the first five years of life. This directly impacts the development of the social and emotional capabilities that support long-term success in school and the workforce.

In this report, we examine how character skills formed in early childhood contribute to building a strong Mississippi workforce with the necessary social-emotional skills for the 21st century economy. The report also offers a firsthand account about why social-emotional skills are critical to a business’ success, and why smart investments during a child’s earliest years help ensure that employees are ready to succeed on their first day at work.