What The Experts Are Saying
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Social and Emotional Fitness for Children -Part One In the videos on the left (Part One and Part Two), Dr. Kim Schonert-Reichl, Applied Developmental Psychologist and Professor in Human Development, Learning, and Culture in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education at the University of British Columbia, and well-known expert in the area of social-emotional learning, discusses the critical nature of SEL. |
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Social and Emotional Fitness for Children -Part Two |
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This video with Dr. Kim Schonert-Reichl is geared towards educators. It is her presentation at the Neuroplasticity and Education: Strengthening the Connection conference put on by The Eaton Educational Group. The title of her talk is Social-Emotional Learning and Mindfulness-Based Programs in Schools. She discusses the many dimensions of SEL: the critical nature of creating a safe, caring, nurturing environment in order to create a foundation for learning; the importance of direct teaching of SEL; a few practical strategies; SEL infused into the classroom throughout the day; empathy; the Roots Of Empathy Program; self-care for educators; some of the science/research/data about SEL; how gratitude and happiness are related; mindfulness and the MindUP Program; how SEL enhances learning.
(An awesome video about Josh, "The Doorman" that Dr. Schonert-Reichl talks about is posted at the bottom of this page) |
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Dr. Daniel Siegel discusses "Mindfulness and Neural Integration: Exploring Relationships and Reflection in the Cultivation of Well-Being", and explains the importance of understanding the brain and it's relationship to mindfulness. This is one of the things that the MindUp Program addresses on a simpler scale- it helps us teach kids what is happening in their brains and how that is related to emotions.
One of the things Dr. Siegel says that stands out for teachers and students is: "When you have Reflection, and you have Relationships that are caring and connecting, you actually stimulate the growth of the integrative fibres of the brain. And these are the fibres that allow you to have Resilience." (A different 3 Rs). |
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In this video from Edutopia, The Heart-Brain Connection: The Neuroscience of Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning, neuroscientist Richard Davidson shares his research on how SEL can affect the brain. |
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This video from CASEL George Lucas and Daniel Goleman on Academic and Social-Emotional Education has Daniel Goleman (author of Emotional Intelligence) moderating a panel discussion of SEL experts, and Edutopia founder, George Lucas. |
What Schools Are Doing
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This video, "How to Get Students Ready for Learning", illustrates how one school in Maine is effectively implementing SEL strategies with positive results. Similar to the Check-In I did with my class, this school has implemented "Morning Meetings" to start the day. |
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"How to Teach Math as a Social Activity" demonstrates a practical way to integrate SEL into the curriculum. |
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"Peace Helpers Become Classroom Problem Solvers" shows how a school in Brooklyn, NY is training grade 4 and 5 students to be peer leaders in conflict resolution and problem solving. Children are learning how to solve problems peacefully- from peer mentors. |
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In "Lessons from the Heart", speaker Michael Pritchard connects with kids first through humour, then with heart. He reaches out to kids (of all ages) and encourages them to share their experiences- and they do. He tells them, "No matter what we teach your brains, love is more important than knowledge". |
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In "Kindness Through Their Eyes", kids share what kindness means to them. I showed this video to my class and we discussed what kindness meant to them. |
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In "This is my place: middle schoolers on social and emotional learning", middle schoolers share their thoughts about SEL, and how good it is to feel like they matter to their teachers and their schools. |
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This video tells the story of Josh, a high school student in London, Ontario, and how a simple act- opening doors- changed his school experience (and his life), and the school experience of his peers. This really shows how one person can inspire change in others. Anyone can do this. |
The following is a link to a page on the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education website. It is a series of videos by Dr. Dan Siegel, entitled, "6 Steps to Build Kindness and Resilience in Children".