The Benefits of Kids Learning Social & Emotional Skills
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is crucial to mental health, well-being, and long-term success for people of all ages. Now, more than ever, SEL is needed to help children overcome stress and traumatic events, to build relationships, and navigate big emotions.
So, what is SEL? The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) describes SEL as: the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
CASEL has established five core competencies that can have a profound impact on children as they grow: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making (www.casel.org). These core competencies describe the SEL skills children and adults practice to have healthy and successful social and emotional behaviors.
SEL instruction in schools is supported through Instill SEL for Early Learners. This SEL program, for children ages two to six, is currently implemented in schools in several states. Instill SEL is aligned with research-based tools and strategies used in elementary schools everywhere and supports CASEL’s core competencies. This provides young learners with a strong SEL foundation before they transition to kindergarten or first grade.
However, children experience increased SEL success when practice is supported both in and out of school environments. SEL instruction shouldn’t just be limited to school instruction. SEL skills are, after all, life skills that every person needs to have healthy, well-balanced lives and to become positive contributors to society. SEL can help prepare children to manage stressful situations, instill respect for others, and develop empathy.
Our Instill SEL at Home Toolkit is built with the same tools and strategies used in Instill SEL. The Blueprint guides your family on how to implement SEL in your home or homeschool environment. The included tools and materials support SEL for children ages two to eight. Your child will engage through games, puppet play, our MVP Kids stories, music, and more. This multidisciplinary approach is not only effective, but it makes learning fun, too.
Children who regularly practice SEL tools, like those found in our Toolkit:
are able to manage their emotions successfully, they are able to focus on learning.
they care about others’ well-being, they show compassion.
are able to understand and follow rules, they contribute to the healthy functioning of a group.
they work well with others and solve problems cooperatively, creating a harmonious environment.
are able to act responsibly and respectively, they build healthy relationships necessary for success in school and life.
Your family’s Toolkit can help instill social and emotional learning whether your child attends school in or outside the home, childcare or preschool, or waiting to begin schooling.
Sophia Day’s Instill® SEL at Home toolkit blueprint is the manual for all things social and emotional learning right at your fingertips. Your family will be equipped with tools to process emotions and grow in social situations. Using concepts from CASEL, the toolkit blueprint provides detailed descriptions of how to apply social and emotional learning concepts within your home.
This simple and effective program provides families with tools and strategies to support:
• Decreased frustration
• Less challenging behavior
• Better communication
• Stronger relationships
by increasing emotional understanding, practicing problem-solving skills, developing healthy habits, and strengthening social skills.
Deluxe toolkit Includes:
• 2 MVP Kids plush puppets of your choice included ($50 value!)
• Toolkit blueprint – this interactive and simple instruction manual will guide you in implementing the included 10 SEL tools.
• Values display
• English/Spanish emotion cards and poster
• Feelings journal
• Frustration station calming strategies
• English/Spanish Solve It! Cards and poster
• 16 stick puppets
• MVP Kids paperback books
• Positivity builders
• Creating a We Care! Bag
• Audio tracks
Toolkit recommended for families with children ages 2-8.