SEL in Action at Home
February 2021 - Love & Care
February is a time to remember the people who have enriched the community with knowledge, pride, and respect. Learn ways to communicate compassionate emotions, like love and care, towards ourselves and others through empathy and compassion. We know that empathy, imagining what someone else is feeling or thinking then responding in a caring manner, is a skill and can be developed and strengthen with practice. Empathy and compassion are important in building healthy relationships, and personal and social well-being.
Empathy and compassion promote:
- acceptance of others' differences
- loving relationships
- reduction in stress
- improved mood
In this month’s newsletter, we've provided Black History Month resources, you’ll learn the different ages and stages of empathy, get movie, podcast, and book recommendations to promote empathy and compassion, as well as helpful videos and breathing strategies you can share with your entire family, and so much more!
SEL FAMILY DISCUSSION SERIES: Session 4 - Parent - Teacher Conversations , Feb. 17, 6:00-7:00 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. (Upcoming: Session 5: Family Emotional Safety, March 24th)
CASEL COMPETENCY FOCUS: 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
Getting to the Heart of Black History Month
Every February, during Black History Month, we highlight the important contributions that African Americans have made to United States history, culture, and economy. Below are resources for families that can extend the conversation year-round.
Dallas ISD Racial Equity Office - Black History Month Programming
Black Culture Connection, Connect360 (PBS)
Celebrating and Learning About Black History and Culture (Reading Rockets)
2020 Black History Month Book List for Teens (CLP)
African American History Month (Library of Congress)
Teaching Your Child About Black History (PBSKids)
45 Books to Teach Children About Black History (The Culture)
Random Acts of Kindness
Did you know that Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14-20, 2021? We know everyone can use more kindness in their lives. Scientific evidence shows us the positive effects of doing kind acts for others as well as receiving or even witnessing kindness. Even the smallest act of kindness can change a life. Visit the following link for resources like printable posters and calendars, stories, and kindness ideas for the whole family!
Podcasts For Kids
Explore Kidevolve for highly imaginative audio stories that deliver key mindfulness training for kids ages 6-12 with an innovative blend of music, sound fx, and incredible voice talent. Stories double as smart guided practices, tackling a unique challenge or opportunity and helping kids with different social-emotional skills. Course 4- Empathy: Switch on Compassion for Self & Others (Switch to the Inside, 16:15), Try on Compassion for Self & Others (Robot Heart, 7:52), and Find Compassion for Self & Others (Light Up your Day, 11:19)
Ages and Stages: Empathy - PK-2
How to nurture this important gateway to social and emotional growth. (Scholastic)
Quaranteenagers: Strategies for Parenting in Close Quarters
Because of coronavirus, teenagers are missing out on major rites of passage. Offering compassion paves their way toward feeling better. (The New York Times)
Movies That Inspire Empathy
These movies help kids learn the value of putting themselves in someone else's shoes to understand the feelings and perspective of others. (Common Sense Media)
How the Pandemic Can Teach Kids About Compassion
What if this crisis became an opportunity for children to deepen their sense of care? Scientists have suggested three ways that children develop compassion that are relevant to these times.
Books to Encourage Empathy
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Articles:
The Key To A Better World? Teach Empathy Early (SmartBrief)
13 Ways to Raise a Caring and Compassionate Child (PK) (Scholastic)
How to Fight Stress with Empathy (Mindful.org)
Mindfulness and Empathy (Mindfulschools.org)
5 Skills -- from Empathy to Manners -- That Tech Might Be Eroding (and What to Do About It (Common Sense Media)
Why Parents Need Self-Compassion During the Coronavirus Pandemic (CHOP)
Videos:
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