SEL in Action at Home
March 2021 - CALMING STRATEGIES
A global pandemic, social unrest, political polarization, and most recently, a catastrophic winter snowstorm that left many families and children seeking warmth, shelter, food, and water. It’s no wonder our families and children are experiencing unprecedented trauma, stress, and anxiety! Unfortunately, life is full of challenges and stressful events, and although we cannot remove stressors, we can practice calming strategies to help alleviate some short-term and long-term health and mental impacts associated with chronic stress.
In this edition of SEL in Action at Home, learn different calming strategies, including mindful breathing, as well as gentle movement. Also, listen to children explain what stress means to them, and why breathing helps alleviate stress, and many more tips and resources to help create an emotionally safe environment for your family. Remember to be gentle with others, and especially yourself!
SEL FAMILY DISCUSSION SERIES: Session 5- Family Emotional Safety , March 24, 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 6: Managing Stress With Mindfulness, April 21st)
CASEL COMPETENCY FOCUS: SELF-MANAGEMENT
The ability to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals. Such as:
- Managing one’s emotions
- Identifying and using stress management strategies
- Exhibiting self-discipline and self-motivation
- Setting personal and collective goals
- Using planning and organizational skills
- Showing the courage to take initiative
- Demonstrating personal and collective agency
Coping with Stress: COVID-19
Social distancing is necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but it can make us feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Learn to cope with stress in a healthy way to help make you, the people you care about, and those around you become more resilient. (CDC.gov)
Belly Breathe with Elmo, Colbie, and Common
Calming Area : A Safe Place for BIG Emotions
How Can You Control Your Emotions & Stop Reacting?
Learn what to do when your children's emotions control your emotions. (Calm Parenting - Podcast - 24 min)
SEL in Action: Snake and Fish
PureEdge Brain Breaks
Designed for adolescents ages 13 to 18, these classes are accessible, effective lessons in mindful movement, and helpful for the whole family. (YogaEd - 2 min)
Looking for mindful movement videos for families with children ages 3 to 12? Try Trauma-Sensitive Chair Yoga for Children: Calm Body (YogaEd - 15 min)
Feelings Thermometer
Calming Jar
Worry Box - Anxiety Control
Sometimes our worries get stuck, and it's like they are racing around and around in our heads. This calming strategy is designed for children ages 6-10 and for the whole family.
8 Self-Soothing Techniques for Your Young Child
When kids are anxious or stressed, these techniques can help them relax and regain their sense of control. (Understood.org)
International #SELDay
Join the Urban Assembly and SEL4US in celebrating the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) on the second annual International SEL Day on March 26, 2021. This year's theme: Building Bonds and Reimagining Community. The National Education Association notes that the pandemic has disrupted the feeling of being together and connected, particularly for children. SEL skills normalize feelings and emotions maintaining a sense of connection, community, and relationships.
The Parade Goes On!, by Mary Hernandez
The Parade Goes On! is a children’s book written by beloved Big Thought team member and literacy advocate, Mary Hernandez. This book shows children the importance of taking charge, helping each other express their feelings, and use their imagination. Click here for more information about Mary Hernandez's legacy.
SEL DALLAS BOOK CLUB
Join SEL Dallas and Dallas ISD Library and Media Services for our weekly online book club series for students. Books are listed by week and are made available digitally via Dallas ISD Library and Media Services. Learners grades kindergarten through second grade will reach a new book each week with a discussion at the end of the book. Learners grades third through fifth will work on chapter books, with discussions each week. Click on the following links for additional information and registration.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
How to help kids regain their footing after a year of stress and disruption (The Washington Post)
- 6 things you can do to help your kids deal with anxiety and stress during the pandemic, according to pediatricians (Insider)
- Chair Yoga for Shoulders - Adults Yoga Class (Yoga Ed - 5 min)
- Fight - Flight -Freeze: Anxiety Explained For Teens (Anxiety Canada - 3 min)
- Emotions and the Brain (Sentis - 2 min)
- Struggling To Discuss Tough Topics With A Kid? Here Are Books That Might Help (NPR)
How To Help Your Kids Reframe Their Anxiety — And Reclaim Their Superpowers (NPR - 18 min - Audio)
Bilingual Storytime in Tibetan & English (Williamsburgh Library)
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