Resources for Parents
Does your child seem uncharacteristically frustrated? Does your son or daughter seem withdrawn and unwilling to communicate? Adolescence can be a tough time, especially for children who do not know how to recognize their emotions and channel them properly. Luckily, Frameworks can help.
What is SEL?
Most children fitting the above descriptions will benefit from social and emotional learning (SEL). SEL is a framework that refers to the acquisition of skills needed to recognize and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish and maintain positive relationships, and handle interpersonal situations effectively. Parents and family members are the first place that children learn about themselves and how others will react to their feelings. Providing a safe environment for children to express emotions in a healthy manner is a significant way that parents can contribute to supporting their child’s social and emotional growth.
The simplest way to teach your children about social and emotional skills is to set a good example. It is important to talk to your child about their emotions and how they feel each day. The key is to listen and encourage conversation. To engage your child, ask for help with activities around the house, like folding laundry or cooking dinner. These activities will not only teach them responsibility, but also provide opportunities for conversation and teamwork. It may also be beneficial to limit your child’s screen time and encourage them find a non-digital activity that helps them express their creativity and emotion, like art, music, or sports. For more ideas on stimulating SEL, click here.
Although it is recommended to incorporate social and emotional learning skills as early as age 4, it is never too late to start learning! Social and emotional learning will help prepare children for success in the areas of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, and responsible decision-making. Reference the links below for additional information on SEL and specific resources for each age.
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)has developed extensive video and print resources which are available directly from this website to help foster social emotional skills.
National School Climate Center
The article by the National School Climate Center stresses the importance of creating a positive home environment allowing them to be more confident learners throughout their life.
This is a great online resource for parents of children in grades K12, as you support your children through their academic experience.
This website includes activities and tips for you to implement to build a foundation of gratitude for your child.
National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families: Zero to Three
This website is great for parents as it speaks to the social and emotional development of children under three.
Zones of Regulation (App) http://www.zonesofregulation.com/the-zones-of-regulation.html
An interactive tool to provide a fun and engaging experience while learning and gaining valuable knowledge to assist in developing real-life self-regulation skills. Students will be taken on an adventure through a town filled with exciting learning opportunities around Zones concepts, rewards, and mini games. Purchase available on your devices’ app store, such as Google Play or The App Store.
Whole Hearted Parening:
How to use emotinal intelligence to create more peace, connection, and joy by Joshua Freedman (book)
Whole-Hearted Parenting offers hundreds of tips and insights that can help you figure out your own answers. Along the way, you might discover your key to unravel tension and create balance. You will learn how to:
– Effectively blend thinking and feelings in your parenting
– Use emotions to help focus and motivate your kids
– Leverage the power of optimism to make parenting more fun
– Respond intentionally instead of reacting on autopilot
– Strengthen empathy to better understand and influence your child
Teaching Kids to Be Good People:
Progressive Parenting for the 31st Century by Annie Fox (book)
We live in a time shaped by a viral culture of cruelty. Now and in the future, we desperately need more good people. But where will these young people come from? From the homes of parents with a game plan! In Teaching Kids to Be Good People, Annie Fox has written a very personal, step-by-step guide to teaching your children to make healthy choices (online and off). Because being good is not enough. We have to do good.
Brain Rules for Baby:
How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child by Dr John Medina (book)
In his New York Times bestseller Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina showed us how our brains really work—and why we ought to redesign our workplaces and schools. Now, in Brain Rules for Baby, he shares what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children from zero to five. This book is destined to revolutionize parenting. Just one of the surprises: The best way to get your children into the college of their choice? Teach them impulse control.