Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a major focus of many schools’ strategic plans. Fortunately, there is a long list of literature, articles, and studies outlining it. importance The effectiveness of SEL and its positive impact on student growth. Knowing this, teachers try to incorporate these lessons into morning meetings, projects, special classes, birthday celebrations, snack times, and lunch times. They are trying to adapt to both learning about SEL and creating space for SEL, but SEL requires more time and consistency, and the focus is on time.
As an early childhood counselor and educator, I work with children in the early stages of development and the families who care for them. Recognizing that SEL is valuable and requires dedicated time, my school took the approach of allowing me and my colleagues to stay with the same caseload of children for five years . This is a valuable opportunity for counselors and educators in this field. During this time, it takes about two years for my students to understand my role as an “emotional teacher.” They ask me, “Who are you and what are you doing here?” They let me know how they felt the moment I stepped into the classroom. By the time they reach kindergarten, they are completely accustomed to my presence. Some people introduce me to caregivers I haven’t met yet, and others greet me with a hug when they enter the building alone or hold hands with a friend. They grew physically, but they also grew emotionally by becoming more aware of their emotions.
As I have been building these foundational skills with my students, my school has spent enough time building expectations for students to discuss their identities as a valuable component within the SEL curriculum. He gave me. My teachers and administrators know that this is essential to my work in creating systemic change and building relationships where students feel safe discussing their identities in authentic, holistic, and vulnerable ways. I understand. The time given to incorporate identity into SEL allows us to provide students with new tools to explore, experiment, and most importantly, navigate the world and identity, and grow and mature in their learning. It’s done.
Bring your identity to the forefront
In her book,unearth joyGoldie Muhammad, author of “How to Get to Know Your Students” talks about the importance and impact of taking the time to get to know your students. Specifically, Muhammad says: “It is important to get to know our children in a truly loving and meaningful way, so that we can understand who they are, who they are not, and what their destiny is on this earth. As I learned more about my students, I realized that it was important to center their identities. Acknowledging and affirming their identities creates opportunities to teach SEL at a deeper and more impactful level.
I work in a predominantly white educational institution, and my focus is on improving each child’s social experience while recognizing the role of bias, racism, and oppression in schools. From my years of experience working and collaborating with diverse groups of teachers, I have found that teaching SEL without discussing these topics is often easier and faster, as well as more I realized that there was an opportunity. To cause harm. Rather than being satisfied with this, I am challenging myself and my colleagues to make themselves uncomfortable and expand our understanding of SEL. In doing so, we are delighted with the gradual and subtle changes we have created within our school. Because it creates opportunities for continued growth.
After my first year with my students, I realized that they were learning as much about me as I was learning about them. They expect to hear my jokes, and as a Black woman, they know that my hair looks different every time they see me. We have built a consistent, trusting relationship where they are seen and valued holistically. It shows in their engagement with SEL lessons and their ability to problem solve and express themselves.
One day, four years into our relationship, I was getting ready to read the book. “What if there is a problem?I started my SEL lesson with the question, “What problems do you think exist in your world?” Students began talking about gun violence, robbery, and people being treated unfairly. As one student speaks, others add to their ideas and tell the story from their perspective. Students also talked about their families in India experiencing the effects of racism in the United States.
One child expressed serious concern: “Blacks and whites always fight.” This was the focus of the conversation for a while, but one of my students noticed that the injustices that Asian Americans experience are rarely discussed. He directly challenged me and said we don’t talk about these things enough. Over time, instead of reacting negatively or moving on too quickly, I listen, create time and space for students to discuss their experiences, and show respect while the conversation continues. I recognized the validity of the students. I wasn’t prepared for this conversation, so I asked a teaching colleague for help. They remained in place for a conversation that lasted 45 minutes. We haven’t even read the book.
The true power of SEL
When I finished that conversation, I felt a range of emotions. Mainly, I was proud of how dynamic and important conversations they were able to have. They were able to use their assertiveness skills to speak up and challenge me to center the experiences that were most important to them and their families. As I learned about their personalities over the years, I created a safe space where I knew their voices would be heard, valued, and amplified. I get to know my students for who they are as people, and they know that not only do I know them, and I know them, but I also have a relationship with their teachers. I understood what I had and that it had created a village of care for my students to turn to in times of need.
By giving SEL the time and space it deserves, children can become more self-aware and connect with peers and adults in the school environment. This sense of security allows us to create a learning environment that encourages challenging and developmental conversations and a community that respects the identities of all students. Doing this while building consistent and authentic relationships with students creates the foundation for a uniquely safe educational environment. This creates an opportunity for students to learn to be better citizens for each other. When students are regulated, able to think critically, and encouraged to speak openly about what is important to them, educators can better address students’ concerns while respecting their identities and associated emotions. You will be able to deal with it.
SEL is and always should be part of our job as educators. But to have a positive and lasting impact on students’ lives and relationships, we need to create an environment where time is more purposefully and intentionally devoted to understanding the role of SEL and identity.
