FAQs: What is Social-Emotional Learning?
If you ask employers, today’s graduates are entering the workplace increasingly unequipped. The problem is not necessarily job skills or technical training. According to a recent study, “the biggest offense, according to 53% of employers, is that recent college graduates struggle with eye contact during interviews.”
The article continues to cite other examples of social unawareness, such as unreasonable demands for compensation, showing up to work inappropriately dressed, and even bringing a parent along for an interview.
At Concordia, we believe that every child is capable of learning both academic and emotional intelligence- to be aware, relational, responsible, and self-managing. These four words are incorporated into our curriculum via our Habits of Success, pointed to and referenced throughout the day as we strive to send out confident and competent graduates.
How do we do this?
Here are a few frequently asked questions from prospective parents about social emotional learning at Concordia.
Q: What is social-emotional learning?
A: According to the Child Mind Institute, social and emotional learning (SEL) is a term for the way children acquire social and emotional skills. It includes things like managing difficult emotions, making responsible decisions, handling stress, setting goals, and building healthy relationships.
Q: What are some examples of social-emotional learning integration at Concordia?
A: Concordia integrates social emotional learning into our classrooms everyday via our guiding Habits of Success, using phrases you see and hear daily in the Concordia classrooms.
The four Concordia Habits of Success for social-emotional learning are being:
1. Relational
2. Self-managing
3. Aware
4. Responsible
Q: How are social-emotional skills implemented at Concordia?
A: Preschool through 4th grade classrooms begin the day with a morning meeting. Each child sits in a circle together. They might be asked to give their opinion or answer to a silly or though-provoking question, and practice taking turns in conversation. In first and second grade, students greet each other by name, look each other in the eyes and say “good morning” switching between different greetings– sometimes in another language, sometimes without words entirely. This creates a safety and a habit around these important interpersonal skills.
Students also engage in conflict resolution skills with ongoing coaching from teachers and staff, using these 3 steps:
- State the person involved’s name
- State the problem
- State what you need them to do instead next time
This ability to state needs, talk about a problem, and work together to find a solution is a helpful habit. Oftentimes, this skill is missing in even adults today.
Q: Are there any recent stories from the students as an example?
A: A few teachers referenced this story from the playground recently:
“An older student had given a younger student a hand-me-down jacket. The younger student found $5 in the jacket pocket. The younger student told her teacher that she thought she should return the $5 to the older student, knowing it probably belonged to her. She did!”
Rather than take the easy road, this student was aware of the situation and other view points. She was relational, coming to the teacher to talk it over and doing the right thing to her fellow student. She was responsible by doing the right thing, even though it might have been easy to let it slide. She was self-managing, taking each step on her own and following her conscience to right the situation.
Looking for a school that is intent on forming the whole child, academically and socially? Book a tour today to see more of our social-emotional learning environment in action! www.concordiaseattle.com
Resources referenced:
- Jessica Souza, What is social and emotional learning? Child Mind Institute, November 14, 2005 https://childmind.org/article/what-is-social-and-emotional-learning/
- Nearly 4 in 10 employers avoid hiring recent college grads in favor of older workers, Intelligent, December 12, 2023 https://www.intelligent.com/nearly-4-in-10-employers-avoid-hiring-recent-college-grads-in-favor-of-older-workers/