– Richa Joshi, Special Educator, Ecole Globale International Girls School
Relationships are central to the human experience, and this truth is especially evident throughout children’s formative years and their time spent in school. If you ask an adult to recall what they remember about school, you’ll almost invariably hear about the people in their life and how the experiences they’ve had with those people helped shape their personal identity.
Research tells us that a student’s beliefs about their identity, competence, and odds of being successful influence their interest in, and aptitude for, certain academic subjects. While academic achievement is important for future successes, so are the positive emotions and skills that support all areas of student development.
One of the main contributing factors to emotional development is the process in which adolescents and adults acquire the skills to manage emotions, develop a sense of identity, and feel and show empathy for others. Therefore, at Ecole Globale Girls School, we have recognised the importance of SEL and introduced several programmes and activities which will benefit our students in shaping the future.
Importance of Social Emotional Learning in classrooms
At Ecole, Social-Emotional Learning is used as a tool that truly allows all students to enjoy a comfortable, productive learning environment, as it involves creating an understanding of the issues students face from different walks of life and a cognizance of self. As students learn about the concept of empathy and apply it to other students, a foundation of understanding and acceptance is built.
In turn, SEL has the power to reduce bullying, help students become more socially developed, increase self-awareness, and produce higher levels of academic success. Ecole firmly advocates zero tolerance towards bullying and SEL is the key to ensure balance and harmony in the school environment.
Social Emotional Learning Activities
At Ecole, the classroom teachers wholeheartedly believe that SEL competencies are necessary for student success, and they try to teach students to become more self-aware and manage their emotions effectively. In general, certain instructional practices have been usedto engage students in SEL by focusing class discussions, activities, and assignments on thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, while situating such discussions in context. Here are a few samples of practices that we have adopted to align with Social-Emotional Learning competencies:
Reflection: Mentors help students develop social-emotional competence by providing them with frequent opportunities to reflect on both the content (e.g., What went well? What was challenging? How does it apply outside the classroom?) and the experience of learning something new (e.g., What did they like and dislike? How did they feel?). These are conducted in a variety of ways, including class discussion, journaling, or quick check-ins.
Feedback: The mentors make sure to Provide frequent supportive, authentic feedback that focuses on the skills and effort students display by stating things such as “You did a nice job sounding that out,” or “I’m glad that you asked that clarifying question.” Providing praise for these aspects rather than for personal attributes helps students develop SEL and allows them to view a model of how they can provide supportive feedback to their peers as well.
Check-ins: Mentors usually help students set small and large goals for themselves and check in with them regularly to assess progress. Examples of Social-Emotional Learning goals include the ability to use positive self-talk, anticipate consequences, evaluate outcomes, etc. Integrating SEL goals and competencies is done across the academic curriculum in a range of content areas. The ways in which SEL competencies can be enacted will depend on student’s preferences and needs.
Ecole strongly believes that the key to fostering social emotional learning is first helping students understand why these competencies are important and then continuously showing students how SEL can effectively promote better relationships and improved academic achievement. It creates ample opportunities for students to practice these skills, and provide feedback and time for reflection. Fostering a sense of safety, trust, and caring in the classroom can help nurture and sustain lifelong learning for each and every one around the campus.
Also read:
School of Eminence: Ecole Globale International Girls’ School, Dehradun
