SEL Spotlight
Social Emotional Wellness Newsletter "At Home" Edition
Making the most of school closure
In these unprecedented and unforeseen times, I encourage you to prioritize taking care of yourselves and one another socially, emotionally, and physically. As we continue to focus on health and wellbeing, it is important to keep a positive and optimistic outlook while doing our part to help slow the spread. Sincere thoughts and prayers go out to those working on the front lines of this pandemic (healthcare workers, grocery store employees, etc.), small businesses struggling to stay in operation, people who have lost their jobs, and all who have been directly impacted by the virus.
As difficult as it may be, when tragedies such as this occur, we must challenge ourselves to find the silver lining. For example, the practice of social distancing means many families are home together like never before. With cancelations of all activities, and most people working from home, the silver lining is that families are being given the opportunity to find joy in the present and unanticipated moment. I encourage families to embrace this moment in time and find joy in being together.
Doing our part to ensure the health of our communities by simply staying home provides us with many self-care opportunities. Give yourself permission to slow down, enjoy the moment, connect with family and friends (virtually), and reconnect with yourselves and your families in ways that the routine daily grind of "normal" life doesn't always allow. To make the most of your time at home together with your family, I have curated some Social Emotional Learning (SEL) inspired ideas and resources to enhance everyone's social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Take care and be well!
Emilie Correa, Ed.D.
SEL Teaching & Learning Facilitator, D67
SEL Resources for Teachers and Parents
- SEL Activities Greater Good Science Center, Berkley (Pre K-adult)
- SEL Parent Toolkit
- Mind Yeti (Mindfulness practices for students)
- Best Meditation Apps for kids (Common Sense Media)
- CASEL Cares Initiative
The Why & How of Virtual Morning Meetings
Why? Morning meetings...
- Support social, emotional and academic learning
- Set the tone for respectful learning
- Establish a sense of community while building a climate of trust
- Help students to feel significant
- Create empathy and encourage connection
How? Looking for Morning Meeting Ideas, click here.
How to Teach Social Emotional Learning When Students Aren't in School
5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus
6 Quick & Easy Strategies for Managing Stress
- Sleep, it does the body good!
- Get active... Exercise releases "feel good hormones", or endorphins, in the brain.
- Practice gratitude. Start a gratitude journal, or simply go around the dinner table sharing 3 things you are grateful for.
- Connect with others. Reach out to your friends and family to share celebrations, concerns, laughter, and love.
- Make a priority list of the things you wish to accomplish. One by one, tackle those goals.
- Stay calm... Practice mindfulness!
Family Response to COVID-19 Crisis
A Menu of Options for How to Spend Your Day at Home
*Disclaimer: What follows is a pretty packed day with a lot of transitions and general time frames. The purpose here is not to impose a structure but to offer ideas for how to organize your time. Think of it as a menu of options; pick and choose what works for your children and your family.
8:00 Make breakfast together
9:00 Schoolwork
10:00 DIY Science project or bake a sweet treat (great practice of fractions in action!)
11:00 Exercise! Go for a walk, or enjoy some Indoor suggestions
12:00 Creative lunch-making
1:00 Second session of schoolwork
2:00 Round 2 of physical activity - we all need it...
3:00 Healthy snack & DIY Crafts project
4:00 Chill time, to each their own...
5:00 Movie or TV break
6:00 Prepare, eat, and clean up dinner; everyone helps.
8:00 Board Games/showers/read aloud before bed
Lessons Learned from Isaac Newton...
Professor, Author, and Positive Psychologist, Martin Seligman, shares his tip of the week, an adaptation of a letter he sent his own students earlier this month.
This is not the first time that great universities have had to shut their doors during an epidemic. And there is perhaps a lesson for all students about what can happen during a shutdown.
In 1665, Cambridge University closed as the bubonic plague swept across England.
Isaac Newton, a 22-year-old student, was forced to retreat to the family farm, Woolsthorpe Manor. Isolated there for more than a year, on his own he revolutionized the scientific world. Newton said that this shutdown freed him from the pressures of the curriculum and led to the best intellectual years of his life.
Click here to read more.
FEEL GOOD NEWS: Health Care Workers Feeling the Love, A Heartfelt Response
During These Times, Give Yourself and Others Permission to Feel
Image below by Mr. John Curtis
Stay Safe During These Times, Remember...
- Stay home
- Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly
- Check in on family, friends, and loved ones