Embedded Social and Emotional Learning: Play, Peers, & Projects

Catalog description

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is far wider and deeper than just programs and curricula. The skills and opportunities that children need to manifest wellbeing, resilience, and engaged participation in their world should be embedded in seamless ways in learning settings. This course is aimed at enhancing students’ knowledge, practice, and reflection around some of the philosophies and approaches used in early education that are most associated with nurturance within the social and emotional realms. This means both “dedicated time” to social-emotional pursuits (e.g., morning meeting, peace circles, recess),as well as SEL-relevant methods and outcomes typically associated with academic learning (e.g., using collaborative projects to explore topics, exploring the emotional lives of characters in books).