SEL in Action at Home
December 2020 - Gratitude
This holiday season may not look like previous years, but the good news is that the spirit of this season remains. In a time when gratitude is front and center, we encourage reflection on the positive aspects of your life (family, friends, safety, health, etc).
Studies show that people who practice gratitude consistently report physical, psychological, and social benefits like:
· Stronger immune systems
· Lower blood pressure
- Less stress and anxiety
· Better sleep
· More optimism and happiness
· Feeling less lonely and isolated
Jeffrey Froh, Associate Professor of Psychology at Hofstra University and author of Making Grateful Kids, The Science of Building Character suggests parents model how to express gratitude, give thanks and be generous to help instill gratitude in their children. We have included 10 Gratitude Ideas for Your Family to help start these conversations including journaling, reading a book, and creating gratitude rocks.
Lastly, we invite you to attend our virtual SEL Parent Discussion Series, Session 2: Hopes and Dreams, December 16th, 4:30-5:30 PM. The purpose of this session is to identify and explore the hopes and dreams that we have for our children and consider how social and emotional learning can help our children to achieve those goals.
On behalf of Dallas ISD’s SEL Department, we are grateful for your continued support of your family's Social and Emotional Learning growth and for including us in your journey.
SEL FAMILY DISCUSSION SERIES: Session 2 - Hopes & Dreams, Dec. 16, 4:30-5:30 PM
As part of the SEL Dallas partnership, join Dallas ISD’s SEL Department for a series of 1-hour family-focused virtual sessions to learn about social and emotional learning (SEL) and important SEL skills. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join any session or the entire series. Click here for the session schedule and register below to secure your registration in the series.
CASEL COMPETENCY: SOCIAL AWARENESS
The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, & contexts. This includes the capacities to feel compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings, and recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.
Such as:
• Taking others’ perspectives
• Recognizing strengths in others
• Demonstrating empathy and compassion
• Showing concern for the feelings of others
• Understanding and expressing gratitude
• Identifying diverse social norms, including unjust ones
• Recognizing situational demands and opportunities
• Understanding the influences of organizations/systems on behavior
10 GRATITUDE IDEAS FOR YOUR FAMILY
1. Start a Family Gratitude Jar
2. Create a Virtual Gratitude List
The whole family can participate in recording a Gratitude List like Kid President. Be creative! Then, share the recording with your loved ones.
3. Interview a Mentor or Family Member
4. Write a Thank You Note to a Delivery Persons
5. Craft a Gratitude Garden
8. Practice Yoga for Gratitude with YogaEd
9. Gratitude Rocks!
10. Read a Book
Gratitude is not just for the holidays. Snuggle up with your kids and read to them, or have them read to you! Visit the following links for book suggestions to spark conversation about gratitude. Elementary, Middle School, High School
Some gratitude favorites: A Little Thankful Spot by Diane Alber or Please, Please the Bees by Gerald Kelley
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Articles:
Gratitude and Kids (KidsHealth)
The Science of Gratitude and How Kids Learn To Express It (Seattle Children's)
Prompts To Get Teens Talking About Gratitude (Washington Post)
Audio/Video:
Gratitude Meditation (GGIA, Audio - 10 min)
Gratitude Is Good For The Soul And Helps The Heart Too (NPR, Audio - 2 min.)
Brené Brown on Joy and Gratitude (Global Leadership, Video - 4 min.)
Finding Awe in the Ordinary (Greater Good, Video - 2 min.)
Growing Our Gratitude (Dallas ISD - Video - 22 min)
Share your story!
Dallas ISD - SEL Department
Email: selfamilies@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/selfamilies
Location: 9400 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-794-3612