How to Foster Social-Emotional Skills in Preschool during Distance Learning?

What is SEL?

• Attitudes, behaviors and skills children need to interact effectively , maintain healthy relationships , achieve social goals , and be successful in school and life.

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• Essential part of education and human development.

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• Requires a safe, caring and supportive environment where SEL competencies can be taught explicitly, through modeling and daily practice.

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Note: They can always be strengthened and improved!

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Benefits

Foundation for success

Improves academic performance

Promotes mental and physical health

Reduces behavioral problems

Promotes a positive environment with healthy relationships

Improves self-esteem

Creates suitable candidates for 21st century jobs

SEL Competencies

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Self-Awareness

Understanding one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior.

Self-

Awareness

Identifying likes and dislikes

Identifying their own emotions

Identifying physical traits

Feelings chart

Recognizing feelings

Writing pieces

“Me Bag”

Self-portrait

Self-

Awareness

Recognizing strengths

Recognizing that they belong to a family and a community

Self-Confidence

“I am an ASFM student”

“This is my family”

Motivating students to share what they are good at

Morning Message

Promoting independence

Emphasizing that we all make mistakes

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Social-Awareness

Having an understanding of the social world and social expectations.

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Social-

Awareness

Identifying emotions in others

Understanding that we �are all different

Showing good manners

Learning social expectations

Greeting each other and saying goodbye

Calling friends by their names

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Relationship

Skills

Positive connections we have with others.

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Relationship

Skills

Giving compliments

Communication

Birthday Wishes

Weekend sharing

Teamwork

Making patterns with a partner

Emphasizing common interests

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Asking questions

Speaking in complete sentences

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Self-Management

Taking responsibility for our own choices to work towards goals and aspirations.

Self-

Management

Impulse control

Raising your hand

Taking turns

Stress management

Breathing exercises

Self-discipline

Expected behaviors

Goal-setting

Responding to teacher feedback

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Responsible Decision-Making

Ability to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions.

Responsible Decision-

Making

Seek solutions to a problem

Reflection and Feedback

Ethical responsibility

Calming down strategies

Ask for help

Look for alternatives

Zoom expectations

Express feelings after the problem is solved

Name different ways to help others

Conclusion

• Build a sense of community

• Transfer routines and relationships to the virtual classroom

• Re-create structures: morning meetings, me bag, closing circle, free play, weekend sharing, guest readers, greetings, routines songs and expectations.

• SEL is crucial to reach students fullest potential in academic achievement and success outside of school.