I asked for some parent feedback and comments about SEL in the classroom and the activities their children participated in. I wasn't sure I would receive any feedback, as I know how busy parents are, but I got a fair bit. It demonstrated to me that this must be important to parents, if they are willing to take time out of their busy day to share their thoughts about SEL in the classroom.
Every parent that responded to my query had very positive things to say about SEL. They want their children's social-emotional learning to be addressed at school, and at home. It matters.
Parents told me that their children had developed a more positive attitude towards coming to school, and many had begun to feel more connected to and supported by their peers (from what I observed, most of them did). Some reported noticing an improved ability in their children to calm themselves down. Some felt their children had become more aware of the feelings of others, how their actions impacted others and contributed to a situation, and more self-controlled. They noted the improvements in the classroom climate- it was more calm, with far less disruptions, which made focusing and learning easier for everyone. Some parents even noticed behaviours at home improve- more confidence to play with neighbourhood children, the use of calm breathing to calm down when upset, and more enthusiasm around discussing and sharing what happened at school each day. Every parent that responded with feedback said that they absolutely felt that purposeful attention to social-emotional learning is valuable for teachers and schools to implement.
What Do You Think?
Are you a parent? Do you think this site is useful? Please share your feedback about SEL here, and if you would like to contribute to the site, go to the "Your Ideas & Stories" page!
Every parent that responded to my query had very positive things to say about SEL. They want their children's social-emotional learning to be addressed at school, and at home. It matters.
Parents told me that their children had developed a more positive attitude towards coming to school, and many had begun to feel more connected to and supported by their peers (from what I observed, most of them did). Some reported noticing an improved ability in their children to calm themselves down. Some felt their children had become more aware of the feelings of others, how their actions impacted others and contributed to a situation, and more self-controlled. They noted the improvements in the classroom climate- it was more calm, with far less disruptions, which made focusing and learning easier for everyone. Some parents even noticed behaviours at home improve- more confidence to play with neighbourhood children, the use of calm breathing to calm down when upset, and more enthusiasm around discussing and sharing what happened at school each day. Every parent that responded with feedback said that they absolutely felt that purposeful attention to social-emotional learning is valuable for teachers and schools to implement.
What Do You Think?
Are you a parent? Do you think this site is useful? Please share your feedback about SEL here, and if you would like to contribute to the site, go to the "Your Ideas & Stories" page!