Social Emotional Learning at EJ Hayes
Social-emotional learning, or SEL, helps people understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Imagine the ways our kids could be better students and better people if they master these skills.
You may have heard of SEL before tonight thanks to the organization CASEL, which is the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. They helped identify the five core competencies that make up SEL:
• Self-management
• Self-awareness
• Responsible decision-making
• Relationship skills
• Social awareness
These competencies can be taught in many ways, and middle school students can improve their skills in these areas. EJ Hayes addresses student’s social-emotional learning by teaching the Second Step Middle School program.
We are concluding Unit 1: Mindsets & Goals and starting Unit 2: Developing a Positive Sense of Self where students learn how to identify their guiding principles, work toward becoming the people they want to be, and learn strategies for building confidence. To facilitate a conversation with your middle school student and provide teachable moments, ask your child the following questions that correlate with Unit 2 lessons:
Grade 6: What are Guiding Principles? Tell your child about something important to you that you consider one of your guiding principles. Ask them to name some guiding principles that they found interesting or feel strongly about.
Grade 7: What is Self-Confidence? Your child will learn about self-concept—how they see and think about themselves. They’ll learn that a person’s self-concept can affect their actions and decisions, which is why it’s important to develop a positive self-concept. Ask your child to explain what a self-concept is. Ask them why they think it’s important to have a positive self-concept.
Grade 8: Sources of Confidence. Your child will learn about confidence—their belief in their ability to do something—and that there are four sources of confidence. Tell your child about a time when you felt confident and then describe a time when you didn’t feel confident or when you increased your confidence. Ask your child what the four sources of confidence are.
Visit ParenTeenConnect.org, a free online resource to help teens and the adults in their lives address hot-button topics.
