Social-Emotional Learning: What Is SEL and Why It Matters
Hand model of the brain kid friendly explanation
In my classroom, I am teaching the children to live in the moment and use strategies to bring focus back to our lessons. We are working at using breathing techniques and helping to better understand the way our brains work. Teaching mindfulness continues to be a wonderful addition to my lessons and helps with social emotional learning.
Now more than ever, teaching mindfulness in the classroom is a necessity. Our children are stressed and anxious. Teachers and parents are stressed and anxious, too. Our lives are busy, and we often find our thoughts buzzing over the past or worrying about the future. We need mindfulness because it teaches us to live in the present moment, enjoying and experiencing what’s in front of us.
Educators know that children learn best when they are comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Imagine if, along with giving our children the gift of lifelong learning and the tools to become kind and productive adults,we could also give them the gift of mindfulness -- using their breath and mind to lead a happy and healthy life. In turn, teachers will reap the benefits of mindfulness, as well -- we all know that a happy teacher has a happy classroom. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/integrating-mindfulness-in-classroom-curriculum-giselle-shardlow
http://leftbrainbuddha.com/10-ways-teach-mindfulness-to-kids/
http://www.parents.com/health/healthy-happy-kids/why-and-how-to-teach-kids-mindfulness/
http://www.parenttoolkit.com/index.cfm?objectid=9E405DF0-D896-11E4-AC210050569A5318