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

Committee for Children Non-profit organization 35 years 70 countries 9 million children reached

Presentation Overview ? ? What’s important for school readiness? What are self-regulation skills and social emotional learning? What strategies can help children to develop these skills? 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! 5

What do children need to be able to do most to be ready for school?

Your thoughts What do children need to be able to do in order to be most ready for school? Say the alphabet Follow directions Control their behavior 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.

Self-Regulation Skills What are self-regulation skills? Why are they important for kindergarten readiness and school and life success?

Self-Regulation Skills Children 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 Having self-regulation skills supports children in developing skills positively related to learning, such as: Listening Staying on task Ignoring distractions Waiting for a turn Following through on a plan

Importance for School Readiness Self-regulation skills Learning-related skills Success in the classroom

Related to academic success from preschool to college What the Research Says Related to academic success from preschool to college Predictive of schooling decisions, college completion, wages, and employment Self-regulation and learning-related skills are:

Ponder this… What happens in your classroom when children don’t have good self- regulation skills?

Impact of Skill Deficit Children lacking good self-regulation skills are at greater risk for many negative outcomes: High rates of expulsion, especially from preschool Low academic achievement School dropout Peer rejection Emotional and behavioral problems

Self-Regulation Skills Protect those with stronger self-regulation skills do better academically than children with weaker self-regulation skills. When children have the same number of risk factors…

Social Emotional Learning Skills What are social emotional competencies? Why are they important for kindergarten readiness and school and life success?

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

RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING RELATIONSHIP SKILLS SOCIAL AWARENESS 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 emotions Coaching 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 Steps Children are taught to calm down first then: Say the Problem Use words to describe the problem Think of solutions Think of safe things to do to solve the problem

These skills can be taught, but how?

Classroom Strategies to Develop Social Skills Games Visual Aids Songs Puppets Story and Discussion

Second Step for Early Learning Designed 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

Weekly Theme Activities Reinforcing Activities 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 Games can help children develop behavioral aspects of self-regulation known as executive function skills. Executive Function Skills Working memory Flexible attention Inhibitory control

Brain Builder Games Overall message for children: About 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 Skills Sink or Swim Head Start classroom in WA state

Visual Aids: Listening Rules The simple actions help children remember the rules. And the visual aids help reinforce children’s learning.

Listening Rules Song Eyes are watching Ears are listening Voices quiet Bodies calm This is how we listen At group time

Using Puppets to Develop Skills “Asking for What You Want or Need”

Story and Discussion Color photo of real children Story that teaches more about the skills Followed by a brief discussion Lasts 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 Remember Self-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 Readiness Early learning professionals talk about foundations of school readiness

Questions?

Thank you! Jennifer Balogh 1-800-634-4449 ext 6522 jbalogh@cfchildren.org www.cfchildren.org