Social Emotional Learning

Along with conversations about your child's academic goals, many of you may have had conversations with your classroom teachers during conferences about important topics like social emotional learning, impulse control, emotional regulation and community connection. Attending to the children's social and emotional learning is a big part of what we do at every grade level, the foundation upon which both individual and collaborative academic learning rest.

A number of Beginning Years and Intermediate Years teachers have been involved in professional development about the role of brain science in social emotional learning, including a recent trip for seven teachers to Washington for a workshop with Tina Payne Bryson, co-author of The Whole Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline. We'd love to share with you some quick but helpful resources that may apply to your own child's brain development and social emotional learning. 

No-Drama Discipline in a Nutshell is a brief video that explains the importance of "connect and redirect" when helping your child through difficult moments.

Kids in the House offers a menu of short 1-2 minute videos with Dr. Bryson about a variety of issues from tantrums to getting kids to cooperate.
Here's one sample,  "Parenting Golden Nuggets" (1 minute 28 seconds).

Reducing Kids' Anxiety About School (2 min. 40 seconds)
This is part one of five short strategy videos about school-related anxiety--you can find the others on Dr. Bryson's blog.

For older students: Guiding Kids Through Negative Emotions, (1 min. 36 seconds) shows you how to help your child move on from disappointment.

Make a glitter jar as a metaphor for letting your emotions settle before you try to act. You'll see these in many classrooms in the Lower School--here's how you can make your own for home! The directions don't mention taping the lids on firmly, but we'd recommend that additional step. :)

The Calm Down Basket may be a tool to put together for your own house if you notice your child needs a little time to regroup after frustration or disappointment.

Using bubbles for impulse control: Here's a quick idea for games you can play with the simple resource of bubbles to help children develop their impulse control. The directions are written for a school setting but could be easily adapted for your backyard or a park playdate.

Wondering what happens if a problem arises at school and Chris or Kirstin end up working with your child? This video from the director of the Momentous Institute describes well our similar philosophy about helping kids through difficult times, and reflects some of what they may experience if they visit one of our offices.  The photo above is from the peace table in the Beginning Years' Assistant Head Office, where children come to calm themselves, problem-solve, and make amends.