Social and Emotional Learning & Conscious Discipline

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the concept of teaching students how to handle their own emotions in a positive, healthy way. SEL also teaches students how to read and deal when other's emotions differ from their own. Students who are introduced to SEL at an early age become more aware of their emotions, which promotes longer lasting relationships, friendships, and an increase in success. It is important to teach students the steps to take before reacting to a problem. First, they should stop. Stopping allows the student to step away from the stressor. Next, they should take a deep breath. Deep breathing calms the mind and rids it of all negative thoughts. Then, the student should think. Students should think about the situation. Is it major? Minor? Is it harmful to me or others? Lastly, the student should act. The students should act on the situation in a healthy, positive way.

There are many strategies a teacher can implement in the classroom that promotes Social Emotional Learning. Several ways to incorporate SEL in the classroom is by providing “daily check-ins.” Daily check-ins allow the students the opportunity to express any concerns, thoughts, victories, or losses they may have encountered throughout the week. By setting aside a time to interact with the students, the teacher becomes aware of what is going on in the lives of his/her students. The teacher then knows what each student needs; therefore, he/she can take the time to have a one-on-one, personal interaction with the student. Another way to incorporate an SEL strategy in the classroom is to have a “Morning Greeting Board.” This is where the teacher greets each student individually at the door with a hug, high-five, fist-bump, or smile. This activity provides love and attention to every student. This idea shows the students they are loved, valued, cared for, and safe.

Morning Greetings!

SEL

       

Conscious Discipline goes hand-in-hand with Social and Emotional Learning. Despite the name, Conscious Discipline is not discipline at all. In fact, it is teaching students how to self-regulate their emotions. A teacher’s number one goal is to keep his/her students safe. The best way to keep them safe is to provide tools and strategies for them to use when they feel overwhelmed, scared, upset, or sad. Some examples of Conscious Discipline are assertiveness, empathy, choice, composure, and encouragement. It is important that you allow students to regulate their emotions in a way they feel comfortable. When students have a choice in their actions, they are more likely to trust you and call on you when they need assistance.

One way to make the students feel safe is to include a designated safe place in the classroom. This is an area set aside and away from peers. Here, the student can unwind in a calm, healthy, positive way. Coloring sheets, stuffed animals, breathing exercises, and picture cards are a few tools that can be found in the safe place to help students relax. Picture cards are a great tool to use because sometimes students do not have the words to express what they are feeling. As a result, you can use pictures of faces showing different emotions for the students to point at, so you as the teacher know what they are feeling. Another great tool to help aid in Conscious Discipline is calm down bottles. Calm down bottles are bottles filled with liquid and a variety of objects. Objects can be things that interest the students, such as: glitter, stars, unicorns, hearts, insects, sports balls, animals, etc. These can either be included inside the safe place, or each student can create their own. Calm down bottles would be a great craft to make with the class at the beginning of the year to help build unity and community. Students could start their day with sixty-seconds of reflection and use the calm down bottle as a tool to clear their minds and regain focus. Students could also start their day with “I love you rituals” and deep breathing exercises. These strategies are small, yet so powerful.

We are FAMILY!

When you are overwhelmed, be a STAR!

      

I believe that Social and Emotional learning and Conscious Discipline are both great strategies to implement into any classroom. Once students understand their own emotions and social interactions, they will be able to communicate with society in a positive and meaningful way. They will be able to have strong relationships and handle confrontation in appropriate ways because both policies incorporate conflict-resolution strategies. I was surprised to see how these two strategies will benefit students once they are out of the classroom and into the workforce because both implement problem-solving skills. Students will become successful members of society after learning how to handle their and other’s emotional differences. Conscious Discipline is an awesome mechanism to use because it provides students with tools and strategies to use when they become overwhelmed. It is also making students become aware of their behavior. They know that the teacher wants to keep them safe, but in order for that to happen, they must redirect their behavior/emotion and remain safe.