Download - SEL, Self-Regulation and School Readiness
SEL, Self-Regulation and School Readiness
All of us have moments in our childhood where we come alive for the first time. And we go back to those moments and think, 'This is when I became myself.'
- Rita Dove
• Non-profit organization• 35 years• 70 countries• 9 million children reached
Committee for Children
Presentation Overview
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What’s important for school readiness?
What strategies can help children to develop
these skills?
??
What are self-regulation skills and social
emotional learning?How can developing
these skills in children
positively impact your classroom?
Early learning is Critical Longitudinal studies show long-term
positive benefits for kids and families. The brain “grows” (maturates) the most --92
percent of brain development -- in the first five years of life.
There are 2,000 days between birth and kindergarten. Every day counts!
What do children need to be able to
do most to be ready for school?
Your thoughtsWhat do children need to be able to do in order to be most ready for school?
Say the alphabe
t
Control their
behavior
Follow direction
s
Listen attentively in a large group
Kindergarten Teachers Agree
Aspects of self-regulation are more important than letter knowledge
But over half of students start kindergarten lacking self-regulation skills
Good News!Self-regulation skills &
Social Skills can be taught.
Preschoolers with these skills
will have a more successful transition to
kindergarten.
What are self-regulation skills?Why are they important for kindergarten
readiness and school and life success?
Self-Regulation Skills
Self-Regulation SkillsChildren with self-regulation skills have the ability to monitor and manage:
They can direct, sustain, and shift their attention.
Emotions
Thoughts
Behaviors
Ponder this…What does a child with good self-regulation skills look like in your classroom?
Self-Regulation & Learning-Related Skills
Listening Staying on task Ignoring distractions Waiting for a turn Following through on
a plan
Having self-regulation skills supports children in developing skills positively related to learning, such as:
Importance for School Readiness
Self-regulati
on skills
Learning-
related skills
Success in the classro
om
What the Research SaysSelf-regulation and learning-related skills are:
Related to academic
success from preschool to
college
Predictive of schooling decisions,
college completion, wages, and employment
Ponder this…What happens in your classroom when children don’t have good self-regulation skills?
Impact of Skill Deficit High rates of expulsion,
especially from preschool Low academic achievement School dropout Peer rejection Emotional and behavioral
problems
Children lacking good self-regulation skills are at greater risk for many negative outcomes:
Self-Regulation Skills Protect
When children have the same number of risk factors…
those with stronger self-regulation skills do better academically
than children with weaker self-regulation skills.
What are social emotional competencies?Why are they important for kindergarten
readiness and school and life success?
Social Emotional Learning Skills
Social Emotional Learning Research
CASEL is the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning
National collaborative that focuses on advancing the science of social emotional learning, advocating for SEL standards, supporting effective SEL teaching practices.
www.casel.org
CASEL
SELF-MANAGEMENT
Managing emotions and behaviors to
achieve one’s goals
SELF-AWARENESS
Recognizing one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths
and limitations
RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING
Making ethical constructive choices
about personal and social behavior
RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Forming positive relationships, working in teams, dealing effectively
with conflict
SOCIAL AWARENESS
Showing understanding and empathy for others
Activity Pick one competency from the 5 Think of a time you used that skill JUST
TODAY Share with your partner/table
Group Discussion to follow
Social-Emotional Competence
Identify own and other’s feelings
Have empathy Manage strong emotions Solve interpersonal problems Make friends and get along
with others Perform better academically
Children who are socially competent can:
Self-Awareness Identifying emotions Accurate self-perception Recognizing strengths Sense of self-confidence Self-efficacy
CASEL 2012
Identifying Feelings
Self-Management Impulse control Stress management Self-discipline Self-motivation Goal setting Organizational skills
CASEL 2012
Managing emotionsCoaching to Calm Down
Relationship Skills Communication Social engagement Building relationships Working cooperatively Resolving conflict Helping/Seeking help
CASEL 2012
Responsible Decision Making Problem identification Situation analysis Problem solving Evaluation Reflection Ethical Responsibility
CASEL 2012
Problem solving StepsChildren are taught to calm down first then:
Say the ProblemUse words to describe the problem
Think of solutionsThink of safe things to do to solve the problem
These skills can be taught, but how?
Classroom Strategies to Develop Social Skills
Games
Puppets
Visual Aids
Story and Discussion
Songs
Second Step for Early LearningDesigned to promote
young children’s readiness skills
for school and life
Designed for typically developing four-year-olds
Also works with multi-age classrooms and three-year-
olds
Set up for success
Weekly Theme Activities
•Brain Builder games•Puppet Script•Story and Discussion•Skill Practices•Song•Recommended books
Reinforcing Activities•Using Skills Every Day•Home Links•Practice Opportunities•Curriculum Connections
Playing Games, Building Brains
Executive Function Skills Working memory Flexible attention Inhibitory control
Games can help children develop behavioral aspects of self-regulation known as executive function skills.
Brain Builder GamesAbout the games: Have specific rules and steps Include ways to increase the
challenge Played several times per week Develop executive function skills
Overall message for children: Your brain can get stronger and smarter with practice and effort
Using Games to Develop SkillsSink or SwimHead Start classroom in WA state
Visual Aids: Listening Rules
And the visual aids help reinforce children’s learning.
The simple actions
help children remember the rules.
Listening Rules Song Eyes are watchingEars are listeningVoices quietBodies calmThis is how we listenThis is how we listenAt group timeAt group time
Using Puppets to Develop Skills“Asking for What You Want or Need”
Story and DiscussionColor photo of real childrenStory that teaches more about the skills Followed by a brief discussionLasts about five to seven minutes Can be done at a group time during the day
Using Story and Discussion to Develop Skills
“Asking for What You Want or Need”
Self-Regulation, SEL & Kindergarten
How might teaching self-regulation and social skills affect
your classrooms?
Key Points to RememberSelf-regulation and
social skills are important for kindergarten
readiness.
Self-regulation and social skills can be
taught.Fun, engaging
strategies can help children develop these important
skills.
Developing these skills
can positively impact your classroom.
Foundations of School ReadinessEarly learning professionals talk about foundations of school readiness
Questions?
www.cfchildren.org
Thank you!Jennifer Balogh 1-800-634-4449 ext 6522 [email protected]