A
great way to integrate SEL into your program can begin with a daily CHECK IN.
Taking
the time to connect with every student and to
gauge their emotional state helps to set a positive tone for each student’s after
school experience. A check in can be a brief group discussion in which you give
students the opportunity to discuss their day and how they are currently
feeling. It also creates a space where children can learn to empathize with,
respect, and listen to others’ feelings. They also are given air time to
express how they feel, which not only will reinforce that they are in a safe
and caring space, but this can also help turn their day around if it was
particularly difficult.
Ask the student follow up questions to learn more about why
they are feeling how they feel. For example, “why do you feel sad? What at
school or home may be causing you to feel this way?” Next, to take the
conversation further, you can try asking them what the opposite of their
current emotion is. This will essentially give them a chance to learn about the
range of emotions and how they may be able to re-frame or re-direct any
negative emotions they may be experiencing. When students have a special connection with their
class, it provides a great way to build positive ongoing relationships in the school
community. Kids are always amazed at how easy it is to find common ground
with younger or older students.
Check in has been proven to increase student’s attention to understanding
their emotional state.
- https://www.edutopia.org/blog/social-emotional-learning-education-sel-mary-kate-land
- https://blog.edmentum.com/6-strategies-incorporate-social-and-emotional-learning-classroom
- 21 Simple Ways to Integrate Social-Emotional Learning Throughout the Day
Tiana Brown is the Assistant Director of the Norwalk Housing Authority Learning Centers
