SEL, Self-Regulation and School Readiness

All of us have moments in our childhood where we come alive for the first time. And we go back to those moments and think, 'This is when I became myself.'

- Rita Dove

• Non-profit organization• 35 years• 70 countries• 9 million children reached

Committee for Children

Presentation Overview

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What’s important for school readiness?

What strategies can help children to develop

these skills?

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What are self-regulation skills and social

emotional learning?How can developing

these skills in children

positively impact your classroom?

Early learning is Critical Longitudinal studies show long-term

positive benefits for kids and families. The brain “grows” (maturates) the most --92

percent of brain development -- in the first five years of life.

There are 2,000 days between birth and kindergarten. Every day counts!

What do children need to be able to

do most to be ready for school?

Your thoughtsWhat do children need to be able to do in order to be most ready for school?

Say the alphabe

t

Control their

behavior

Follow direction

s

Listen attentively in a large group

Kindergarten Teachers Agree

Aspects of self-regulation are more important than letter knowledge

But over half of students start kindergarten lacking self-regulation skills

Good News!Self-regulation skills &

Social Skills can be taught.

Preschoolers with these skills

will have a more successful transition to

kindergarten.

What are self-regulation skills?Why are they important for kindergarten

readiness and school and life success?

Self-Regulation Skills

Self-Regulation SkillsChildren with self-regulation skills have the ability to monitor and manage:

They can direct, sustain, and shift their attention.

Emotions

Thoughts

Behaviors

Ponder this…What does a child with good self-regulation skills look like in your classroom?

Self-Regulation & Learning-Related Skills

Listening Staying on task Ignoring distractions Waiting for a turn Following through on

a plan

Having self-regulation skills supports children in developing skills positively related to learning, such as:

Importance for School Readiness

Self-regulati

on skills

Learning-

related skills

Success in the classro

om

What the Research SaysSelf-regulation and learning-related skills are:

Related to academic

success from preschool to

college

Predictive of schooling decisions,

college completion, wages, and employment

Ponder this…What happens in your classroom when children don’t have good self-regulation skills?

Impact of Skill Deficit High rates of expulsion,

especially from preschool Low academic achievement School dropout Peer rejection Emotional and behavioral

problems

Children lacking good self-regulation skills are at greater risk for many negative outcomes:

Self-Regulation Skills Protect

When children have the same number of risk factors…

those with stronger self-regulation skills do better academically

than children with weaker self-regulation skills.

What are social emotional competencies?Why are they important for kindergarten

readiness and school and life success?

Social Emotional Learning Skills

Social Emotional Learning Research

CASEL is the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning

National collaborative that focuses on advancing the science of social emotional learning, advocating for SEL standards, supporting effective SEL teaching practices.

www.casel.org

CASEL

SELF-MANAGEMENT

Managing emotions and behaviors to

achieve one’s goals

SELF-AWARENESS

Recognizing one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths

and limitations

RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING

Making ethical constructive choices

about personal and social behavior

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

Forming positive relationships, working in teams, dealing effectively

with conflict

SOCIAL AWARENESS

Showing understanding and empathy for others

Activity Pick one competency from the 5 Think of a time you used that skill JUST

TODAY Share with your partner/table

Group Discussion to follow

Social-Emotional Competence

Identify own and other’s feelings

Have empathy Manage strong emotions Solve interpersonal problems Make friends and get along

with others Perform better academically

Children who are socially competent can:

Self-Awareness Identifying emotions Accurate self-perception Recognizing strengths Sense of self-confidence Self-efficacy

CASEL 2012

Identifying Feelings

Self-Management Impulse control Stress management Self-discipline Self-motivation Goal setting Organizational skills

CASEL 2012

Managing emotionsCoaching to Calm Down

Relationship Skills Communication Social engagement Building relationships Working cooperatively Resolving conflict Helping/Seeking help

CASEL 2012

Responsible Decision Making Problem identification Situation analysis Problem solving Evaluation Reflection Ethical Responsibility

CASEL 2012

Problem solving StepsChildren are taught to calm down first then:

Say the ProblemUse words to describe the problem

Think of solutionsThink of safe things to do to solve the problem

These skills can be taught, but how?

Classroom Strategies to Develop Social Skills

Games

Puppets

Visual Aids

Story and Discussion

Songs

Second Step for Early LearningDesigned to promote

young children’s readiness skills

for school and life

Designed for typically developing four-year-olds

Also works with multi-age classrooms and three-year-

olds

Set up for success

Weekly Theme Activities

•Brain Builder games•Puppet Script•Story and Discussion•Skill Practices•Song•Recommended books

Reinforcing Activities•Using Skills Every Day•Home Links•Practice Opportunities•Curriculum Connections

Playing Games, Building Brains

Executive Function Skills Working memory Flexible attention Inhibitory control

Games can help children develop behavioral aspects of self-regulation known as executive function skills.

Brain Builder GamesAbout the games: Have specific rules and steps Include ways to increase the

challenge Played several times per week Develop executive function skills

Overall message for children: Your brain can get stronger and smarter with practice and effort

Using Games to Develop SkillsSink or SwimHead Start classroom in WA state

Visual Aids: Listening Rules

And the visual aids help reinforce children’s learning.

The simple actions

help children remember the rules.

Listening Rules Song Eyes are watchingEars are listeningVoices quietBodies calmThis is how we listenThis is how we listenAt group timeAt group time

Using Puppets to Develop Skills“Asking for What You Want or Need”

Story and DiscussionColor photo of real childrenStory that teaches more about the skills Followed by a brief discussionLasts about five to seven minutes Can be done at a group time during the day

Using Story and Discussion to Develop Skills

“Asking for What You Want or Need”

Self-Regulation, SEL & Kindergarten

How might teaching self-regulation and social skills affect

your classrooms?

Key Points to RememberSelf-regulation and

social skills are important for kindergarten

readiness.

Self-regulation and social skills can be

taught.Fun, engaging

strategies can help children develop these important

skills.

Developing these skills

can positively impact your classroom.

Foundations of School ReadinessEarly learning professionals talk about foundations of school readiness

Questions?

www.cfchildren.org

Thank you!Jennifer Balogh 1-800-634-4449 ext 6522 jbalogh@cfchildren.org