SEL Resources for Families
Sharing SEL lessons and resources with families reinforces the skills being taught in the classroom and helps families build their knowledge of SEL, practice skills together, and build collective resilience. Teachers should include SEL lessons and activities in their materials for students and families.
COVID-19 E-Learning Free Resources by SEL Providers Council
(Update 8/4/2020)
https://selproviders.casel.org/sel-resources/- The SEL Providers Council is committed to providing free resources and curriculum to support e-learning efforts across the country. Follow the links to each provider’s individual page where the curriculum is located. For wide-ranging resources that support SEL practices and understanding during this challenging time, please visit the CASEL SEL Resources page. Resources on this page have not been evaluated from CASEL through the organization’s program review process.
Second Step is research-based, teacher-informed, and classroom-tested curriculum to promote the social-emotional development, safety, and well-being of children from Early Learning through Grade 8. In addition, Second Step has developed resources to help teachers, students and families to navigate school closure and other COVID-19 challenges that are included below.
Parent COVID-19 information: resources and activities for talking with children
SEL related literacy texts that align with Second Step lessons
Practicing Self-Calm/Belly Breathing: Sesame Street video
Sanford Harmony is a Pre-K-6 grade social emotional learning (SEL) program that promotes positive peer relations among students through lessons and activities that encourage communication, collaboration, mutual respect, and healthy relationships.
EVERFI provides free digital lessons to teach learners how to cultivate healthy relationships, avoid harmful social situations, and build compassionate communities. Includes lessons on social and emotional learning, health and wellness, bullying prevention and mental health promotion. Everfi all courses one-pager. Parents and students can access courses directly by registering through their school’s link - see here for instructions and information: https://get.everfi.com/cps/.
Resources from SEL Curricula
Second Step is research-based, teacher-informed, and classroom-tested curriculum to promote the social-emotional development, safety, and well-being of children from Early Learning through Grade 8. In addition, Second Step has developed resources to help teachers, students and families to navigate school closure and other COVID-19 challenges that are included below.
Parent COVID-19 information: resources and activities for talking with children
SEL related literacy texts that align with Second Step lessons
Practicing Self-Calm/Belly Breathing: Sesame Street video
Sanford Harmony is a Pre-K-6 grade social emotional learning (SEL) program that promotes positive peer relations among students through lessons and activities that encourage communication, collaboration, mutual respect, and healthy relationships.
EVERFI provides free digital lessons to teach learners how to cultivate healthy relationships, avoid harmful social situations, and build compassionate communities. Includes lessons on social and emotional learning, health and wellness, bullying prevention and mental health promotion. Everfi all courses one-pager. Parents and students can access courses directly by registering through their school’s link - see here for instructions and information: https://get.everfi.com/cps/.
Talking about Ceremonies, Prom and Graduation (Updated 5/4/2020)
Mindfulness
Calm Classroom is a simple and accessible way to integrate mindfulness into the classroom or home culture. Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention to our present moment experience with a kind and open attitude. The daily practice of mindful breathing, stretching, focusing and relaxation exercises cultivates a greater sense of self-awareness, mental focus and emotional resilience within educational spaces. The Calm Classroom Booklet provides scripted techniques & audio recordings for preschool-12th grade students and adults, as well as Calm On the Spot techniques that can be practiced in just a few moments any time, anywhere.
Mindful Practices utilizes mindfulness, yoga, and social-emotional learning strategies. Educators and learners alike benefit from activities designed to bring all members of the classroom into community and creating a safe learning environment. Through moving, stretching and breathing, each students feels empowered to be present and ready to learn. Mindful Practices provides these free resources in English and Spanish for parents and teachers.
Family/Home Connections
General Resources
The Imagine Neighborhood: A Podcast for families to help adults and children practice their Social Emotional Skills
Mind Yeti: On Vimeo (English), On Vimeo (Spanish); On YouTube (English), On YouTube (Spanish), Podcast: RSS Feed, Spotify, Stitcher
Resources from Conscious Discipline
Note: Must register for free at consciousdiscipline.com to access most Conscious Discipline resources
Recursos de Conscious Discipline en Español/ Conscious Discipline Resources in Spanish
Make a Multisensory Breathing Pinwheel: A fun project that also helps children learn to take deep, belly breaths.
Setting Daily Family Commitments and Establishing Morning Routines: Advice from a parent.
At Home Brain Breaks and Active Calming: Click on the images for videos and songs that accompany each activity.
At Home Morning Meetings: Click on the images for videos and songs that accompany each activity.
Bedtime Ritual for the End of the Day: A helpful guide for parents to help their children close out the day and transition to a peaceful night of rest..
Build a Visual Schedule for your Day: Parents can use these printable pictures and instructions to create a daily visual schedule for their children, or as a model from which they can create their own.
ABC’s for Parents of Small Children: A helpful three-step process for parents to support small children through challenging moments at home.
Caring Connections Calendar in English and Spanish: 32 ideas that students can try at home.
Family Cell Phone Agreement and “Parking Lot”: Printable visual to help children “park” their cell phones during family time.
Guide to a Brain Smart Start™ for the Day: The Brain Smart Start™ is a fundamental ritual in Conscious Discipline based on brain science that helps children feel ready to learn. This printable resource is a guide for families to do a Brain Smart Start™ together, to feel united, connected and calm. Children also make commitments, including ways to be kind and helpful throughout their day.
Wish Well Board: Teaching children to wish others well is a mindfulness exercise that also allows them to be helpful when they don’t have other tangible ways during this time.
Talking About Coronavirus
COVID information - multiple languages. One page flyers from the Center for Disease Control about COVID safety practices. (Update 8/4/2020)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (available in English, Spanish, Chinese)
National Association of School Psychologists Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19 (available in multiple languages)
Resources from Conscious Discipline:
Note: Must register for free at consciousdiscipline.com to access most Conscious Discipline resources
Shubert and Sophie Stay Home in English and Spanish: Description from the Conscious Discipline website- Like other children around the world, Shubert and Sophie are currently staying home. They’re helping keep their community safe by sheltering in place with their family. Although it feels like a vacation at first, Shubert and Sophie (and mom and dad) gradually begin to feel grumpy. They miss friends, field trips and soccer games. In this free printable story, Shubert and Sophie learn to navigate their big feelings about COVID-19 with help from their parents.
Masks and Gloves: A social story from Conscious Discipline to help young children understand why people are covering their faces and wearing gloves in public.
Coronavirus is a Big Word: A social story from Conscious Discipline to help young children understand what the Coronavirus is, and when it will be safe to return to school.
For Parents/Caregivers with Adolescent Children
ParentTeen Connect is designed by social-emotional learning experts as an at-home, family-engagement resource. This online experience is loaded with videos, resources, and useful advice to help teens and the adults in their lives address hot-button topics.
Sexual Abuse Prevention
Hot Chocolate Talk: A guide for parents to talk to their children about sexual abuse.