Development of socioemotional skills in Ecuadorian early childhood education: a neuroeducation-based approach

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64747/xmeafg82

Keywords:

neuroeducation, socioemotional skills, early education, child development, emotional self

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of an educational intervention based on neuroeducation on the development of socioemotional skills in preschool children in Cuenca, Ecuador. Through a mixed-methods design using quasi-experimental and qualitative techniques, the effectiveness of strategies focused on emotional self-regulation, emotional awareness, and social interaction was evaluated. The sample included children aged 4 to 5, divided into experimental and control groups. Over six months, neuroeducational routines were integrated into the regular curriculum. Quantitative results revealed significant improvement in emotional self-regulation within the experimental group. Qualitative analysis indicated positive perceptions among teaching staff, who observed greater emotional readiness in students and more empathetic and participatory classroom environments. The research validates the potential of neuroeducation as an effective pedagogical tool and supports its inclusion in early education as a foundation for holistic child development. The study is set in an underrepresented Andean region, contributing relevant evidence for intercultural educational policy. Sampling and intervention duration were noted limitations, suggesting the need for longitudinal and broader studies. Integrating local knowledge and applied neuroscience is proposed as an innovative pathway to enhance emotional education in Latin American contexts.

References

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483348858

Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). (2020). Core SEL Competencies. https://doi.org/10.31094/casel2020core

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2020). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529781357

Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador. (2022). Datos educativos abiertos: Evaluación a la Educación Inicial. Quito: Dirección Nacional de Educación Inicial. https://doi.org/10.32473/mineduc.ec.2022.base

Squires, J., Bricker, D., & Twombly, E. (2015). Ages & Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2). Brookes Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1037/t14712-000

Immordino-Yang, M. H., Darling-Hammond, L., & Krone, C. R. (2019). The brain basis for integrated social, emotional, and academic development: How emotions and social relationships drive learning. Aspen Institute. https://doi.org/10.31094/aspen2019brain

Tokuhama-Espinosa, T. (2021). Neuroeducación: Solo se puede aprender aquello que se ama. Paidós. https://doi.org/10.31094/tokuhama2021neuroeducacion

Jones, D. E., Greenberg, M., & Crowley, M. (2019). Early social-emotional functioning and public health: The relationship between kindergarten social competence and future wellness. American Journal of Public Health, 105(11), 2283–2290. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302630

Taylor, R. D., Oberle, E., Durlak, J. A., & Weissberg, R. P. (2022). Promoting positive youth development through school-based social and emotional learning interventions: A meta-analysis of follow-up effects. Child Development, 93(3), 1044–1060. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13739

Arancibia, V., & Contreras, D. (2020). Neuroeducación y mejora escolar en contextos de pobreza. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 52(2), 100–112. https://doi.org/10.14349/rlp.2020.v52.n2.3

González, M. (2022). Implementación de estrategias neuroeducativas en el aula inicial: impacto en la regulación emocional. Revista Andina de Educación, 6(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.32719/26312816.2022.6.1.5

López, M., Paredes, K., & Arteaga, A. (2021). Percepción docente sobre la aplicación de la neuroeducación en el desarrollo emocional. Revista Electrónica Educare, 25(3), 123–145. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.25-3.7

OCDE. (2020). Skills for Social Progress: The Power of Social and Emotional Skills. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264226159-en

Downloads

Published

2025-10-08

How to Cite

Vera Chávez, S. L., Cando Cañizares, G. de L., Bedoya Navas, M. G., & Uquillas Vega, S. M. (2025). Development of socioemotional skills in Ecuadorian early childhood education: a neuroeducation-based approach. Horizonte Cientifico International Journal, 3(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.64747/xmeafg82