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Social-emotional learning is the process of developing skills that help kids succeed in school and life. It includes developing self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills.
People with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges. We believe that social, emotional, and mental health learning is crucial for kids because it equips them with the tools to navigate their emotions, build strong relationships, and manage stress effectively. These skills promote resilience, empathy, and self-awareness, ensuring that children not only excel academically but also thrive in various aspects of their lives, ultimately leading to healthier and more fulfilling futures. We started a journey of researching social emotional learning because at 3 years old, we wanted kids to connect big emotions to words. Social Emotional Learning is building the staircase from the downstairs brain (throwing tantrums, running, hiding, freezing, hitting, etc) to the upstairs brain (where you can THINK IT THROUGH). Today there is unprecedented momentum for an education system that fully supports students’ social, emotional, and academic learning. But what does that look like at home? |
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Skills at home
Social Emotional (or interpersonal) skills start with your brain and look like reflection; identifying strengths and areas for growth.
They are ways of dealing with yourself and your thoughts, using awareness, beliefs, and abilities to change and grow.
Some of these skills include adaptability (being flexible in a situation), self-regulation (controlling impulses), having a growth mindset (recognizing that knowledge and skills can be changed with practice), optimism (having a positive mindset), leadership (being able to delegate tasks and being a visionary), stress management (being able to manage stress), resilience (ability to overcome adversity), and character (a set of values that enables people to demonstrate empathy, respect, and responsibility) (CASEL, 2020).
They are ways of dealing with yourself and your thoughts, using awareness, beliefs, and abilities to change and grow.
Some of these skills include adaptability (being flexible in a situation), self-regulation (controlling impulses), having a growth mindset (recognizing that knowledge and skills can be changed with practice), optimism (having a positive mindset), leadership (being able to delegate tasks and being a visionary), stress management (being able to manage stress), resilience (ability to overcome adversity), and character (a set of values that enables people to demonstrate empathy, respect, and responsibility) (CASEL, 2020).
How we used Social Emotional Learning for Anxiety
As parents with anxiety, we recognized big emotions connected to fear and stress. The kids were doing things we were trying NOT to do as adults. So we started reading.
We started researching childhood anxiety. Climate change, covid, school shootings, social media; the pressure for kids to deal with adult things is EVERYWHERE.
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) created the 5 core competencies of Social Emotional Learning. It's really good! But it's very meaty. Learn more by clicking on the SEL Goals boxes below by age.
We created a workbook for Social Anxiety using the SEL core competencies and the research we found. You can learn more about the workbook and the process outlined in the workbook by clicking on the Social Anxiety box.
We started researching childhood anxiety. Climate change, covid, school shootings, social media; the pressure for kids to deal with adult things is EVERYWHERE.
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) created the 5 core competencies of Social Emotional Learning. It's really good! But it's very meaty. Learn more by clicking on the SEL Goals boxes below by age.
We created a workbook for Social Anxiety using the SEL core competencies and the research we found. You can learn more about the workbook and the process outlined in the workbook by clicking on the Social Anxiety box.
Social Emotional Learning by Age
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Social Emotional Learning is VERY DIFFERENT for kids at each age. Kids are learning about themselves and the world around them.
All of our kids have shown signs of struggling and understanding these concepts. All at different ages and stages. It's been remarkable to watch them grow. The goals, objectives, and strategies for each age group are linked to the right. How we used them in our workbook is also in the links. In all of our research, we realized the concepts for dealing with behavoir are taught in some schools. But learning them at home is just as important. As a mother, I worried my kids would develop the anxiety that I have. It has been debilitating at very inconvenient times. I can remember realizing I couldn't open my milk in kindergarten and having a panic attack and feeling humiliated. All because I was afraid to ask for help. I never wanted my kids to feel that way. I never really developed strategies until I realized, |
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Social Anxiety
There was a lot of panic (of course) and then we got to work. Most of the strategies that we have researched will also help with other types of anxiety and dealing with stress.
One of the MOST important parts of social emotional learning is building the staircase in your brain. Click on the building the staircase to see how to do this.
Anxiety is when the staircase between your logical brain and your reactive brain shuts off. How do you open it up?
Social Anxiety is particularly frustrating because it makes you feel isolated. If you suffer from social anxiety, every single core competency is affected.
We developed four steps to addressing anxiety. Learn more by clicking of the social anxiety box. Going through the four steps outlined in our book and on the Social Anxiety page will walk you through the entire process from identifying your feelings to coming up with a plan.
One of the MOST important parts of social emotional learning is building the staircase in your brain. Click on the building the staircase to see how to do this.
Anxiety is when the staircase between your logical brain and your reactive brain shuts off. How do you open it up?
Social Anxiety is particularly frustrating because it makes you feel isolated. If you suffer from social anxiety, every single core competency is affected.
We developed four steps to addressing anxiety. Learn more by clicking of the social anxiety box. Going through the four steps outlined in our book and on the Social Anxiety page will walk you through the entire process from identifying your feelings to coming up with a plan.
Dealing with big feelings can be isolating. We want to start a community for people whose social emotional learning path is hindered by social anxiety. Sign up to get news and updates on the Community page linked to the left.
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