#Social Emotional Learning

[nothorses]

Do you have any more info on social-emotional learning?

I can only find versions for kids that include "follow the rules" in a million different words which uhh seems antithetical to the concept of SEL

I don't have as much relevant info as someone who's been formally trained/educated in SEL specifically, but it's definitely a big part of the philosophy of education in my program. My understanding of SEL is that it's about teaching kids to identify, process, and self-regulate their emotions, and to be in community with others.

A lot of the work I see around SEL is very intentionally informed by culturally-responsive education, which is, in a nutshell, about valuing students' individual cultures ("culture" meaning, like, everything from the general understanding of the word, to stuff like family culture and communities students are a part of- like the queer community- to neurodivergence and disability). That manifests as a way of teaching students that directly involves and welcomes their cultures (ex: having students teach each other, inviting community members to teach students, etc.), valuing the unique knowledge that students of different cultures bring to the classroom, helping students develop a positive sense of identity, and teaching students to value the cultures of other students.

This is also why it's under attack from conservatives; SEL necessitates discussions around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

There are a lot of ways this shows up, but tbh, I would avoid SEL resources that emphasize academic performance or adherence to rules/"good behavior". The purpose of SEL is not to serve educators; a happy and healthy student is going to have an easier time in the classroom, but that's for the students, not the educator. Students should also be learning, like, autonomy, confidence, and self-advocacy. And educators should be making an effort to meet students where they are with their needs; we don't demand attention and punish students when they struggle to give it to us, we seek to understand why students struggle with our methods, and adjust them to meet their needs.

I've seen some decent resources floating around, and I think one of the best keywords to look out for is "culturally-responsive"; if you're just seeing resources that stress following rules, maybe try adding that onto your search!

I'm personally just a little hesitant to recommend anything without having time to comb through it more thoroughly first, and a lot of the SEL-related content I've learned through has not actually named SEL itself. 🤷‍♂️ If yall are interested in some readings around cultural responsiveness & supporting student health and happiness, though, I'm happy to provide!

[absolutefuckingprincess]

Things that I was Told as a Kid that I Believe Made Me a Good Person

-my parents telling me that if your friend doesn't respect your boundaries, then they are not your friend and you're better off without them (setting boundaries and dismantling rape culture)

-my teachers in school disciplining me for laughing at my friends even though I wasn't the one making jokes (understanding the consequences of peer pressure)

-my parents requiring me to dress for my age as a child and as a teenager (didn't have to reach age 25 and feel like I've already been an adult for a decade)

-my dad telling me that you can't force someone to like you if they have already decided they don't want you (taught me not to settle for shit relationships)

-my mom telling me not to respond to catcalls (instilling self worth)

-seeing billboards and bumper stickers with phrases, such as 'Pregnant? You have options' (reminding me that I'm in control of my body)

-a neighborhood kid telling my siblings and I that we shouldn't have to kiss our parents' asses for taking care of us because it's their obligation and duty as parents (showed me how to assess and evaluate the actions of those who claim to love me)

-a friend telling me that shitty things happen to a lot of people, but that doesn't mean it's okay to be a shitty person because of it (reminding me that I'm in control of my actions)

-my cousin telling me that I should never be ashamed of who I love because my family loves me and just wants to see me happy (showed me the importance of authenticity)

[neworkimprov]

Laughter: The Best Medicine You're Not Taking (Enough Of)

We all know the feeling: a belly laugh that leaves you breathless and your cheeks hurting. But beyond the immediate joy, laughter offers a surprising amount of benefits for our mental and physical well-being. Here’s why you should prescribe yourself a daily dose of humor: Stress Slayer: Feeling overwhelmed? Laughter can be a powerful antidote. By lowering stress hormones like cortisol, a good…

[omgneptunee]

no bc why tf in my sel (social emotional learning) class we watched a video about social awareness and all of a sudden it started talking about Undertale, Toontown, Fortnite, Roblox, and Among Us

[openstorygames]

Journaling RPGs

TL;DR Journal games provide an escape that brings you back to reality through reflection and creativity. Kids' journal games look very different from adult ones, but both can achieve similar goals. When I started writing games (months before I was brave enough to hit "publish"), I stumbled across journaling RPGs.

Playtesting

I playtested a few games for other creators, and I realized that the process of journaling in character was perfect for me! A limited project with defined rules that helped guide my thinking to a conclusion.

As a writer, I've always struggled to bring things from the middle to an ending. It's the hardest part of the process for me.

Journaling games aid that process by forcing an end. You draw a certain card; you run out of a limited resource; if you're lucky, you achieve your goal. Suddenly, your adventure has come to an end.

The game gives you the scenes along the way, but it's your job to put them in character and connect the dots. The ending exists, but how do you get there?

First Writing

After playing a few journaling games, I was intrigued. I wanted to write my own!

That first experiment gave me the rough draft of Dolorine. It wasn't anything special, at first. I had some growing to do before my deity of affliction would reach her full potential.

Lil Gremlins

I tried my hand at some other types of narrative TTRPGs, and I've enjoyed each project. But that journaling game just kept brewing in the back of my mind.

Still not ready to go back and face the (possible) mess of Dolorine, I shifted my focus to a kid-friendly journaling game.

That's a whole different experiment!

Kids don't have the stamina or hand strength to write long, extensive passages. They don't do well with dense text explaining complicated rules.

I knew I'd need to have simple rules and a journal template for Lil Gremlins to have a chance.

So I set to work, creating a game about your friend/pet monster, who gets into mischief quite a bit.

The great thing about journaling games is that they give you the opportunity to reflect on yourself and your own thoughts, feelings, and actions.

The tough thing about making that a game for kids is that kids don't have much practice with that. And their brains aren't fully developed yet. They've got a lot to learn!

Cover art by Mary Bransom

I intentionally wrote Lil Gremlins to be customizable and to grow with kids who play it. I designed it to handle big social-emotional learning topics in manageable chunks.

This game was for kids to take some power back. For them to wield the word NO! in a safe context. For them to be in control of what was allowed. For them to reflect on why certain things might be considered troublesome.

Lil Gremlins is a journaling game, but it's not meant to be played solo. It can be, of course, but it's written to encourage you to share your story! A younger player might want some help writing; a bigger kid might ask for their completed journal to be displayed.

And in doing all of that work, I created a game that helped me learn to write journaling RPGs for other audiences.

Back to Dolorine

With that first experience under my belt, I was ready to tackle the mess of Dolorine again.

A game that is very much not for children, Dolorine comes with a host of content warnings and a much darker theme.

After all, when the character you're playing is a deity who chooses to accept suffering for the purposes of transforming that suffering into power, things can get pretty grim.

During the months that passed between Dolorine's first draft and editing, I discovered the wonder of SRDs. I didn't have to build my game from the ground up. I didn't need to struggle to convert my Lil Gremlins skills to an entirely different context.

I used the Aspire SRD and the Caltrop Core SRD to give my dark fantasy vibe some structure.

With those building blocks, the game settled into its final form.

Dolorine is a solo journey through what it means to be afflicted. But it gives the player power, though in a very different way than in Lil Gremlins.

When I started my first draft, I wanted a game that gave pain purpose.

In a world so full of suffering, we can easily be overwhelmed by the senselessness of it all.

But for the Dolorine, deity of affliction, all pain has a purpose. She lives in a world where her suffering is never lost in the void.

There's a fantasy to that. A chance to use our pain for something worthwhile.

There's a danger in that. An opportunity to become the cruelty we seek to eliminate.

Either way, Dolorine has you reflecting on some tough themes as you channel affliction into the ability to rid others of their power to harm the vulnerable.

Very different game from Lil Gremlins, to be sure.

Comparison

Lil Gremlins is set in a world of peace and lightheartedness. There is no trouble so large that it can't be solved with a hug or a good book.

Dolorine wanders through a realm of agony. Nowhere can she turn that she doesn't find trouble.

But both games offer the player some hope against the powerlessness that we all feel at times.

And both give you the opportunity to reflect on your own role. You may be the responsible one in Lil Gremlins but the mischief-maker in your life. You might feel powerless in Dolorine but discover that you can change things even without deific abilities.

You might learn some uncomfortable things about yourself. Or you might just tell a good story. Either way, journaling games are an excellent way to grow as a writer, creative, and person.

Quick Promo

If you're interested in either of the journaling games I mentioned above, be sure to check them out at the links below!

Lil Gremlins is on sale for another week. Don't miss your chance to pick it up at a discount!

Dolorine is PWYW for a limited time! Try it out, and consider leaving a rating so I know how you like it!

[connieaaa]

"I am your parent, you are my child. I am your quiet place, you are my wild." - Maryanne Cusimano

I often added to and manipulated those words over the years.

I am the parent. I am the adult. I will not expect a child tobe the grown-up. I will not expect the child to be the mature one. I don't expect children to be able to do what adults can't. I don't expect children to do what adults refuse to do.

I am my quiet place. I am my calm. Don't panic, the least helpful thing is to panic. Breathe. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Be methodical. Be deliberate.

You are my wild, my storm, my forest fire, my rabid wolverine. You can have my quiet, my cool, my gentle. I have enough to share. I made it myself.

The amygdala really reacts, and when it does the thinky-thinky part of the brain turn off. It's not the time for explaining, or discussion, or compromise. Logic will not work, there is no being rational. There is currently a power outage.

Did your kid just scream "I hate you?" or "You're the worst!" That's good, that's the prefrontal cortex power cycling and turning hitting, biting and scratching impulses into words instead of actions. "No you don't" will be taken as a counterattack. Instead try "It feels like that, doesn't it?".

Deescalate.

Avoid talking, but if you can't:

"I can see you are very overwhelmed right now."

"You are having a lot of big feelings right now, and it can be very scary. How can I help?"

"Would you like a cup of water?"

"May I give you a hug?" No. "May I put my hand on your shoulder?" No "I don't want you to feel alone. I will sit next to you for now."

Redirect

Kid trying to hit? Turn it into a high five. Another high five over here, on the left, on the right, up high, down low. Whoa you got me! Move your hand slowly - coordinating the eye movements to track your hand will help with turning the power back on.

If it makes your kid angry, stop. "If you want to hit, I can get you a pillow and you can hit that. I won't let you hurt me".

Smash rocks, crush cans, break pencils, play with dough or slimes.

Draw with markers, especially Sharpies. On paper or cardboard, or on skin. Narrate. This is my anger spot it looks like a black cloud and here is the lightening and a tornado. Here is a family of squirrels hiding in their burrow to stay safe.

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said on Wednesday that “education is under assault,” criticizing the banning of books across the country, efforts to suppress speech and “the othering of our students, teachers, parents.”

“I do believe education is under assault in ways that I’ve never experienced in my lifetime. I really believe that. I thought it was bad back in the day when folks were debating the merits or demerits around vouchers,” Newsom said while giving remarks at the National Forum on Education Policy after receiving the Frank Newman Award for State Innovation from the Education Commission of the States.

“You know, back in the good old days, in the ’90s, the black and white movie days, and people have different opinions about something called ‘charter schools,’” he mused. “But what’s happening now? Banning books, suppressing speech, the othering of our students, teachers, parents? It’s alarming.”

He slammed Florida, for example, after its Department of Education in April rejected dozens of math books, citing alleged references to or the inclusion of critical race theory (CRT) and social emotional learning (SEL) in them.

CRT, which is generally taught in institutions of higher education, is a decades-old theory that asserts that racism is woven into U.S. laws, institutions and history. 

SEL programming aims to help students manage their emotions, develop and manage health identities and relationships and make responsible decisions, among other goals.

Newsom also slammed Texas for cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in mental health funding after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) earlier this year redirected more than $200 million from the state’s Health and Human Services Commission, which oversees Texas’s mental health services, toward his border security initiative.

“But what about the whole person? What about the wellness of our kids? Everybody’s talking a good game now about mental health,” Newsom said. 

“There’s one large state, Texas, where they cut mental health funding by $211 million. You know why I’m up here? Because we just expanded mental health by $4.7 billion in our public education system in the state of California.”

Newsom has been considered a possible 2024 Democratic presidential contender, though the California governor said in an interview last year that a presidential bid has “literally 100 percent never been on my radar.”

[thestarlightforge]

One of my favorite Directing Techniques exercises my professor ever taught, both when I was a student and a teaching assistant:

People watch, choose a person, observe them for 10 mins (in a non-creepy way). Then, take 10 more minutes and write them a backstory with a simple prompt: “That is a person who someone loves, fully and deeply.” Doesn’t specify a context for the love—platonic, romantic, familial—or how many people they matter to. Just that that person is someone who is, or was, loved. Then, present these decisions, definitively and confidently, to the class.

It’s an excellent exercise in character and world building, observation and detail, and bringing collaborators into the world of your show—all important director skills. But most importantly, it’s an exercise in empathy and compassion.

Sometimes, I practice it on the street. Take a few minutes where each person I pass, I take a few beats to think of who they are as a person who is loved, even if I know nothing about them. It takes emotional energy of course, but I’ve actually noticed it’s really helpful and beautiful. ❤️

[picturebookshelf]

Franklin's Bad Day (1996)

Story: Paulette Bourgeois -- Art: Brenda Clark Canadian

[motivationalspeakers]

Inspire and Engage Your Students with Top School Speakers

Students think that the best thing about getting to go to school assemblies is GETTING OUT OF CLASS! Yes, they are mandatory, sort of, and are for the large student body. But when students get close to the gym or auditorium and they hear the type of music they like, they start to wonder if they might just like it this time!

I don’t mean to sound partial, but our SCHOOL SPEAKERS truly are the very best in the nation! They are relevant, exciting and interactive. But it’s so much more than that.

Those who do not have oral disabilities use oral language to communicate ideas and feelings to other people. In general, they use the language to converse at home or in the office, but on occasions they must speak formally before a certain audience, often without having the necessary fluency to do it well; An example of this is when students have to make a presentation in the classroom. In this article we explain what public speaking is, what it is for and what a high school public speaking course is about.

Even if it is a small intervention in the class, it is always necessary to have a training that allows the development of the necessary skills to express each word fluently, this provides security and strengthens self-esteem at a stage of life when we are full of insecurities and complexes. For this reason, it is important that Language teachers develop public speaking activities and dynamics for secondary schools as part of their teaching process.

In fact, public speaking for secondary school is part of the contents of this signature; but we really know what oratory is and what is its importance.

What is oratory?

According to the Spanish Royal Academy, the word oratory is a Latin term that refers to the "art of speaking eloquently", it refers to the ability to express the message that you want to convey in the correct way, clearly and fluently before others. people, whether family or not. Clarifying this is the first thing that is explained in the texts on public speaking for high school youth , which are used by Language teachers.

It is worth noting that public speaking as an area of ​​language is not a new subject, since it was Socrates, the Greek philosopher, who created one of the first schools of public speaking for his young students in Athens, where being an orator was considered essential for everything . educated citizen. Thus arises the need to generate experiences to teach this art to adolescents.

The importance of studying public speaking in high school

People live in a world where communication is part of all our activities , for this reason, during the performance of daily life and work, there are always spaces where people must present their ideas. In the workplace, speaking is part of our day to day, since at some point we have to present a report, attend a conference, present a project or address a group of clients.

In this case, we must show serenity and security, speak appropriately, accentuate the words that are worth highlighting, look into the eyes of the listeners and apply the techniques of a good speaker to make the best impression.

For this reason, it is important to study public speaking and a good time to do so is through group dynamics planned by teachers in secondary public speaking courses . This is an activity that is very relevant if we consider that high school graduates are being trained to practice a profession where they will have to present their ideas or opinions when presenting a project or discussing a business idea.

Just to give examples of how important it is to teach high school public speaking , we will refer to the professions in which it is required to speak properly.

[roesolo]

The Smile: "Every smile starts a wonderful journey"

The Smile: "Every smile starts a wonderful journey" @MarieVoigt @kanemillerbooks

The Smile, by Marie Voigt, (Aug. 2022, Kane Miller), $14.99, ISBN: 9781684644131 Ages 3-6 Marie Voigt explores the power of a smile in this kind story. Easy-to-read, simple sentences build this “pay-it-forward” story, beginning with a baby’s smile. That smile, directed at another child, brings with it a glittery shower that illuminates everything in its path. The child cheers a lonely woman, as…

[theliterarygamerchick]

Dear New Teacher: Perfectionism in Decorations and Organization

Dear New Teacher: Perfectionism in Decorations and Organization

A reminder I posted on Instagram. We all could use it sometimes. Every year, I am sure other teachers feel such heavy pressure to have everything perfect and organized prior to the students coming in. I still wonder, for me, where it came from: was it the school that encouraged perfectionism? Was it the job? Was it my colleagues? Not sure. But it’s got to stop. I posted this on Twitter a very…

[neworkimprov]

Improv in Action: Practical Tips for Teachers to Bring the Fun (and Learning) Back to School

In our last post, we explored the amazing benefits of improv training for teachers. Now, let’s dive into the practical side of things: how can you actually use improv in your classroom? And how does it relate to social-emotional learning (SEL) and the power of laughter? Improv Games & Activities for the Classroom Shows, workshops, residencies and professional development programming for K12…

[sisstarloop]

🌟 Join Us in Supporting Dance to Unite’s Transformative Mission! 🌈✨ By donating or attending the 10th Annual Benefit on May 15th at City Winery! Join us --> https://dtubenefit10.eventbrite.com/ Dance to Unite is fostering unity and cultural diversity in NYC schools through empowering conversations about values! 💬🏫 It’s been an absolute honor to witness firsthand the life-changing impact of this social-emotional learning (SEL) program. Every day, it’s touching the lives of students and shaping a brighter future. 🌟 Now, here’s your chance to be a part of something truly special! 🎉 Don’t miss the 2024 Annual Benefit on May 15th at City Winery, where we’ll come together to support this amazing cause. Let’s ensure Dance to Unite can continue spreading joy and empowerment through dance to even more students in NYC! 💃🗽 Can’t make it to the event? No worries! You can still make a meaningful difference by donating any amount to this grassroots organization. Every contribution helps bring Dance to Unite to more young hearts and minds. Simply click the link to donate now! 💖 www.dancetounite.org Join us in celebrating this year’s honorees, ABC7 Anchor Sandra Bookman and WABC Vice President of Programming Art Moore. Together, let’s show our love and support for Dance to Unite in any way we can. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of students across NYC! 🌟

[openstorygames]

Don't miss your chance on this sale! Grab a game or two, or save any more by picking up all 5! This won't last long, so catch it now!

Educational Games

Whither & Whence is a mapmaking game to help kids practice their measuring skills without even realizing it. Play in the classroom or at home to strengthen beginning math skills with kids in K-2nd. Encode is a ELA language-building game for kids who want to be spies. There's a certain amount of spelling and phonics that will make this game easier, but 3rd graders playing in teams had a blast playtesting! Older kids will love creating their own secret code, but the secret's on them: they're practicing language skills as they play! Intended for 4th-8th grade. Lil Gremlins is a journaling game for any age! Focus on emotional reactions and build those SEL skills, or use the fill-in-the-blank journal pages for kids who are working on handwriting. Use this game to help students learn to write stories and build a narrative with just a few minutes a day.

After-Bedtime Games

These games are for grownups once the kids are in bed. Whether you're a busy parent, a worn-out teacher, or any adult looking for a good game, these are for you! The Elders is a GMless roleplay-heavy game for 3-6 players. Retire a party of adventurers as they choose the next generation of heroes. Dolorine is a solo journaling game where you play as a deity who undergoes suffering to store up power. The Dolorine seeks to destroy the Bringer of Death and free mortals from their curse.

[idigitizellp21]

The Importance Of Social-Emotional Learning (Sel) For Student Well-Being

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the heartbeat of holistic education. It’s a framework that nurtures self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills, which are vital for school, work, and life success. SEL began as a compassionate response to the realisation that academic achievement is intertwined with emotional well-being. It’s about equipping children with a compass to navigate their emotions and fostering an environment where they can blossom into well-rounded individuals.

Why is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) the need of the hour?

Imagine a world where every individual is in tune with their emotions, understands the feelings of others, and navigates social complexities with grace. This isn’t a far-fetched fantasy but a reachable reality through SEL. Those who master their emotional selves tend to lead more fulfilling lives, excel in their careers, and maintain healthier relationships. Hence, it is pivotal to start early which can help set a strong base for future nourishment.

A study reference https://files.eric.ed.gov/ in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) reveals the transformative power of SEL:

Some eye-opening statistics are mentioned below:

A reduction of 9% in conduct issues, encompassing instances of classroom misbehaviour and aggression

A decrease of 10% in emotional distress, spanning feelings of anxiety and depression

A 9% enhancement in attitudes towards oneself, others, and school

A significant 23% advancement in social and emotional competencies

A 9% progress in school and classroom behaviour.

An 11% boost in achievement test results

Why should you introduce SEL to your child at an Early Age?

Embedding SEL in children’s education is not just important; it’s imperative for their overall success, here’s why:

Early Development: SEL skills rapidly develop in early childhood and are highly adaptable during this period.

Emotional Intelligence: It enables children to identify and regulate emotions, enhancing stress management and self-assurance.

Foundation for Future Learning: SEL lays a solid groundwork for future academic and life achievements.

Behavioural Benefits: Implementing SEL can mitigate problem behaviour and emotional distress, fostering a conducive learning environment.

Social Skills: SEL nurtures empathy and respect, fostering meaningful connections with others.

Academic Achievement: Children engaging in SEL programmes often exhibit improved academic performance.

Lifelong Implications: SEL lessons in preschool have enduring effects on children’s social and emotional aptitude, shaping their future interactions and success.

The formative preschool years lay the foundation for a child’s future. Introducing SEL at this stage is like planting a seed in rich and fertile soil — it grows stronger and more resilient with time. At Kookaburra Preschool, we believe in nurturing this seed from the very beginning, ensuring that our children are always a step ahead of the rest.

How Kookaburra — the best pre-school in Mumbai, embraces SEL?

At Kookaburra, we recognise that preschoolers may not fully command their emotions, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start the journey. Do you agree, when we say that a tree won’t grow if the seed is never sown? Our teaching and learning structure is designed to give children that initial recognition and help them manage their feelings. We’re not just a preschool; we’re a launchpad for tomorrow’s heroes, where the seeds of emotional intelligence are sown, and the basics of self-awareness are instilled.