Wellbeing

A message from Emily Murcott - Assistant Principal / Wellbeing Literacy Leader

Social and Emotional Learning at home

How can families support students’ social and emotional learning?

Social and emotional learning starts at home. Parents and families help to develop their children’s personal and social skills, attitudes and behaviours in different ways. Throughout the next newsletters I will be focusing on the following ideas, however I will focus more intently on one area in each newsletter. 

Ideas that will be shared:

1. Conversations with children: Talking to children about how they are feeling and helping them to reflect on their emotions, coping strategies and the issues they may face.
2. Role modelling: Children develop their social skills and attitudes by watching and experiencing how other people manage their emotions and relationships.
3. Positive reinforcement: Recognising when a child demonstrates positive social, emotional and relationship skills will help instil good habits and behaviours.
4. Providing a loving and calm environment: Establishing rules and routines to provide structure and predictability. Showing affection and care towards children and spending quality time together.

Today let's focus on topic 1. 

Conversations with children: Talking to children about how they are feeling and helping them to reflect on their emotions, coping strategies and the issues they may face.

Engaging children in conversations about their emotions is crucial for their emotional development. Here are some practical examples and strategies parents can use to help their children reflect on their feelings, cope with challenges, and navigate difficulties at home or school.

Conversations About Feelings

1. Open-Ended Questions: Encourage children to talk about their day and their feelings.   Example: "How did you feel when you were playing with your friends today?"  

Purpose: Helps children identify and express their emotions.

2. Validating Emotions: Acknowledge their feelings without judgement.  

Example: "It sounds like you were really upset when that happened. It’s okay to feel that way."  

Purpose: Validates their emotions, making them feel heard and understood.

3. Emotion Charts: Use tools like emotion charts to help younger children identify their feelings. 

Example: "Can you show me how you're feeling by pointing to a face on this chart?"   Purpose: Visual aids can make it easier for children to pinpoint their emotions.

Helping Children Reflect on Their Emotions

1. Name the Emotion: Help children label what they are feeling.  

Example: "It seems like you might be feeling frustrated because you couldn’t finish your homework."  

Purpose: Identifying emotions helps children understand and manage them.

2. Discuss Triggers: Talk about what caused their feelings.  

Example: "What happened before you started feeling sad? Did something specific make you feel this way?"  

Purpose: Helps children understand the context of their emotions.

3. Emotion Diaries: Encourage children to keep a diary of their emotions.  

Example: "Why don’t we write down what happened today and how it made you feel?" Purpose: Reflecting through writing can help children process their emotions.

Coping Strategies

1. Deep Breathing: Teach simple breathing exercises to calm down.  

Example: "Let’s take a deep breath together. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Let’s do it five times."  

Purpose: Helps regulate their emotional state.

2. Positive Self-Talk: Encourage positive affirmations. 

Example: "When you feel nervous, tell yourself, 'I can do this. I am brave.'"  

Purpose: Builds resilience and a positive mindset.

3. Creative Outlets: Use art, music, or play to express emotions.  

Example: "Do you want to draw a picture of how you’re feeling?"  

Purpose: Provides a non-verbal way to express and manage emotions.

Facing Challenges at Home or School

1. Problem-Solving Together: Work with the child to find solutions to their problems.  Example: "You’re worried about your presentation. What can we do to help you feel more prepared?"  

Purpose: Teaches problem-solving skills and reduces anxiety.

2. Role-Playing: Practice scenarios they find challenging.  

Example: "Let’s pretend I’m your classmate and you tell me how you feel when I take your toy. What could you say?"  

Purpose: Builds confidence in handling difficult situations.

3. Routine and Structure: Maintain a consistent routine to provide a sense of security.  

Example: "Every day after school, we will spend 30 minutes doing homework together."   Purpose: Predictable routines can reduce stress and anxiety.

Addressing Challenges

1. Open Communication: Regularly check in with the child about their feelings and challenges. 

Example: "Is there anything that’s been bothering you at school that you want to talk about?" Purpose: Keeps lines of communication open and shows ongoing support.

2. Seek External Help if Needed: Recognise when professional help is required.  

Example: "It seems like you’re having a really tough time with this. How about we talk to a counsellor who can help us?"  

Purpose: Provides additional support and resources for more serious issues.

3. Model Healthy Behaviour: Show how to handle emotions and challenges through your actions.  

Example: "I’m feeling a bit stressed about work, so I’m going to take a walk to clear my head."  

Purpose: Children learn by observing how adults manage their emotions and stress.

By using these strategies, you can can support your children to develop emotional awareness, resilience, and effective coping mechanisms, enabling them to face challenges both at home and in school.