Fostering Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning is how one processes life skills which include relationships, working with others, recognizing our emotions and managing our feelings. These social-emotional skills are extremely important in how one copes with school, work and life experiences.  Many of these skills continue to develop during the school environment through play and peer interactions. Now with COVID-19 altering the learning environment, parents are playing more of a role in developing social-emotional learning.  
 
What can parents do to foster these skills?  Encourage your child to talk and identify their emotions. Reassure their fears and worries. Discuss ways that they are keeping safe and how other community members are assisting others. Model empathy and perspective taking. Talk with them about how others are  feeling during this difficult time, and share strategies to support others, such as sending a card or a picture.
 
Being home for such an extended period can cause boredom and agitation.  Disagreements and conflicts can occur. It isn’t always easy to maintain one’s own patience with no outside diversions and juggling work and home duties. Discuss conflict resolution strategies with your child. Bring in fun activities to diffuse the tension – bubbles, kinetic sand, slime, play dough. How about a movement break or even an obstacle course? Encourage appropriate use of language. Discuss any difficult situations after everyone has calmed down. Drawing and social stories are also good ways of reviewing conflict and resolution. And most important, remember to take care of yourself.
 
Reinforcing appropriate behavior is essential during these times. "Catch” your child doing the right thing. Find something positive even in the negative. And finally, set up virtual play dates for your children so they can continue the connections with their friends in a playful environment. Remember that your children are learning from you and you are providing them with essential skills for the future.
 
Stay strong and healthy. We are all in this together.