SEL – What is it? For parents, this may be a new acronym around school. For educators, it is likely a familiar term but not necessarily understood. SEL or Social Emotional Learning has become a hot topic in schools, but has also faced some criticism. For some, it is viewed as a ‘buzzword’ or ‘bandwagon’ or something light and fluffy.
The new curriculum in BC focuses on much more than academic skills. We now teach competencies rather than just curriculum. This means less memorizing, and more skill building. Ideally students will develop the core competencies and transfer these skills into all aspects of their life. These are the core competencies.
So – why have schools made this shift? Why are SEL skills so important? A child’s ability to self regulate in kindergarten is a better predictor of their success in adulthood than their academic achievement in grade school. Schools that teach SEL see an improvement in social emotional skills AND an average of 11% increase in a student’s academic performance. Basically, when we teach kids how to recognize and manage their emotions and care for themselves and others, they are happier children and end up doing better at school. Continue reading
I love to write. There is nothing that soothes my soul more than a quiet hour with a chai tea latte and a notebook or a blank screen. When I travel somewhere new, I look through the eyes of a writer and search for that peaceful place where I can turn my thoughts into words. Finding solitude, with pen and paper grounds me. It’s in these moments that I truly reflect. When I write I give myself time to question, to challenge my own thoughts and ultimately, I get to know myself better. It’s how I put my pieces together.
