SEL, Self-Regulation and School Readiness
SEL, Self-Regulation and School Readiness All of us have moments in our childhood where we come alive for the first time. And we go back to those moments and think, 'This is when I became myself.' - Rita Dove Committee for Children • Non-profit organization • 35 years • 70 countries • 9 million children reached Presentation Overview What’s important for school readiness? What are self-regulation skills and social emotional learning? What strategies can help children to develop these skills? How can developing these skills in children positively impact your classroom? Early learning is Critical Longitudinal studies show long-term positive benefits for kids and families. The brain “grows” (maturates) the most --92 percent of brain development -- in the first five years of life. There are 2,000 days between birth and kindergarten. Every day counts! What do children need to be able to do most to be ready for school? Your thoughts What do children need Say the alphabet Follow directions to be able to do in order to be most ready for school? Control their behavior Listen attentively in a large group Kindergarten Teachers Agree Aspects of selfregulation are more important than letter knowledge But over half of students start kindergarten lacking selfregulation skills Good News! Self-regulation skills & Social Skills can be taught. Preschoolers with these skills will have a more successful transition to kindergarten. Self-Regulation Skills What are self-regulation skills? Why are they important for kindergarten readiness and school and life success? Self-Regulation Skills Children with self-regulation skills have the ability to monitor and manage: Emotions Thoughts Behaviors They can direct, sustain, and shift their attention. Ponder this… What does a child with good self-regulation skills look like in your classroom? Self-Regulation & Learning-Related Skills Having self-regulation skills supports children in developing skills positively related to learning, such as: Listening Staying on task Ignoring distractions Waiting for a turn Following through on a plan Importance for School Readiness Selfregulation skills Learningrelated skills Success in the classroom What the Research Says Self-regulation and learning-related skills are: Related to academic success from preschool to college Predictive of schooling decisions, college completion, wages, and employment Ponder this… What happens in your classroom when children don’t have good selfregulation skills? Impact of Skill Deficit Children lacking good self-regulation skills are at greater risk for many negative outcomes: High rates of expulsion, especially from preschool Low academic achievement School dropout Peer rejection Emotional and behavioral problems Self-Regulation Skills Protect When children have the same number of risk factors… those with stronger self-regulation skills do better academically than children with weaker selfregulation skills. Social Emotional Learning Skills What are social emotional competencies? Why are they important for kindergarten readiness and school and life success? Social Emotional Learning Research CASEL is the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning National collaborative that focuses on advancing the science of social emotional learning, advocating for SEL standards, supporting effective SEL teaching practices. www.casel.org CASEL SELFMANAGEMENT SELFAWARENESS Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve one’s goals RELATIONSHIP SKILLS Forming positive relationships, working in teams, dealing effectively with conflict Recognizing one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths and limitations SOCIAL AWARENESS Showing understanding and empathy for others RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING Making ethical constructive choices about personal and social behavior Activity Pick one competency from the 5 Think of a time you used that skill JUST TODAY Share with your partner/table Group Discussion to follow Social-Emotional Competence Children who are socially competent can: Identify own and other’s feelings Have empathy Manage strong emotions Solve interpersonal problems Make friends and get along with others Perform better academically Self-Awareness CASEL 2012 Identifying emotions Accurate self-perception Recognizing strengths Sense of self-confidence Self-efficacy Identifying Feelings Self-Management CASEL 2012 Impulse control Stress management Self-discipline Self-motivation Goal setting Organizational skills Managing emotions Coaching to Calm Down Relationship Skills CASEL 2012 Communication Social engagement Building relationships Working cooperatively Resolving conflict Helping/Seeking help Responsible Decision Making Problem identification Situation analysis Problem solving Evaluation Reflection Ethical Responsibility CASEL 2012 Problem solving Steps Children are taught to calm down first then: Say the Problem Use words to describe the problem Think of solutions Think of safe things to do to solve the problem These skills can be taught, but how? Classroom Strategies to Develop Social Skills Games Visual Aids Puppets Songs Story and Discussion Second Step for Early Learning Designed to promote young children’s readiness skills for school and life Designed for typically developing four-year-olds Also works with multi-age classrooms and three-year-olds Set up for success Weekly Theme Activities • • • • • • Brain Builder games Puppet Script Story and Discussion Skill Practices Song Recommended books Reinforcing Activities • • • • Using Skills Every Day Home Links Practice Opportunities Curriculum Connections Playing Games, Building Brains Games can help children develop behavioral aspects of self-regulation known as executive function skills. Executive Function Skills Working memory Flexible attention Inhibitory control Brain Builder Games About the games: Have specific rules and steps Include ways to increase the challenge Played several times per week Develop executive function skills Overall message for children: Your brain can get stronger and smarter with practice and effort Using Games to Develop Skills Sink or Swim Head Start classroom in WA state Visual Aids: Listening Rules The simple actions help children remember the rules. And the visual aids help reinforce children’s learning. Listening Rules Song Eyes are watching Ears are listening Voices quiet Bodies calm This is how we listen This is how we listen At group time At group time Using Puppets to Develop Skills “Asking for What You Want or Need” Story and Discussion Color photo of real children Story that teaches more about the skills Followed by a brief discussion Lasts about five to seven minutes Can be done at a group time during the day Using Story and Discussion to Develop Skills “Asking for What You Want or Need” Self-Regulation, SEL & Kindergarten How might teaching self-regulation and social skills affect your classrooms? Key Points to Remember Self-regulation and social skills are important for kindergarten readiness. Self-regulation and social skills can be taught. Fun, engaging strategies can help children develop these important skills. Developing these skills can positively impact your classroom. Foundations of School Readiness Early learning professionals talk about foundations of school readiness Questions? Thank you! Jennifer Balogh 1-800-634-4449 ext 6522 [email protected] www.cfchildren.org
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