INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT ON KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS’ PERFORMANCE AND SCIENTIFIC LITERACY

This study investigates the interplay between kindergarten teachers’ practices in social and emotional learning (SEL), scientific literacy, and language development strategies, and how these elements collectively influence teaching performance. Conducted in a selected region of the Philippines, the research employed an embedded mixed-methods design, involving 108 kindergarten teachers from 36 public and private schools. Data were collected using validated online instruments, including the Social-Emotional Competence Scale, a Scientific Literacy Inventory, and the Teacher Survey Instructional Orientation Questionnaire. Ethical protocols were rigorously followed, ensuring confidentiality and voluntary participation. Quantitative findings revealed that teaching experience and professional position were positively correlated with higher teaching performance. Moreover, robust SEL practices—particularly those involving social awareness and relationship skills—were found to significantly support students’ cognitive and emotional development. Scientific literacy and language development strategies were also strong predictors of effective teaching, contributing to a more engaging and developmentally appropriate classroom environment. This study contributes a novel integrated framework that connects SEL, scientific literacy, and language pedagogy as mutually reinforcing domains in early childhood education. Unlike previous research that treats these competencies in isolation, this study offers a holistic perspective on teacher effectiveness. Additionally, it provides context-specific insights from the Philippine kindergarten system, a relatively underrepresented setting in global educational research. Findings underscore the need for targeted professional development that interweaves SEL, scientific thinking, and language instruction to elevate teaching quality and learner outcomes in early education.