Social Emotional Learning
What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social-emotional learning is the process of developing self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. Individuals with strong social-emotional skills are able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally and socially. Individuals also possess strong problem-solving skills, self-discipline, impulse control, and can regulate emotions.
Activities to support the development of social-emotional learning.
1. Make a Visual Schedule
Young children thrive on routine and schedule, and you can visualize that for them. A schedule or routine accompanied with pictures is a great way for children to complete tasks and promote independence. Try the following links for FREE printable schedules or get creative and create your own!.
2. Use a Feelings Chart
A feelings chart is an invaluable tool to support children in discovering and understanding their emotions. This promotes increased self-regulation and a fun way to have conversations with young children about their feelings. When a child is experiencing big emotions, ask children to point to the emotion face on the feelings chart, help them name it and support them to talk about their emotions.
3. Read Social Stories
Social stories are specific type of books that are geared toward promoting your child’s social-emotional learning (SEL); they help process and understand emotions through relating to the characters in the stories. If you would like some recommendations, please refer to our suggested picture books list tab. While reading the stories prompt your child with open ended questions such as: How do you think this character is feeling?, Why do you think (character) is feeling this way?, What would you do if you felt (emotion)?, How would you react?, What could you do to make (character) feel better?
4. Dance
Movement has been proven to increase children’s mood, self-regulation and helps children stay healthy overall. Dancing promotes increased emotional intelligence in young children and you can ask your child to move any way the music makes them feel.
5. Yoga and Mindfulness
Yoga and mindfulness activities are beneficial for young children as they are for us! These activities can teach your child how to relax and calm their bodies, allowing them to gain self-control and self-regulation.