Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL Kernel

  • SEL Kernels are short, flexible, easy-to-use strategies and routines that build social and emotional skills. Each Kernel is designed to target a specific skill or competency, such as emotion knowledge, perspective-taking, or conflict resolution.

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  • Join us each month for a new theme and activities to work with your students! This month's theme is #MeaningfulMay

    #JoyfulJune Quote of the Month:

    “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life ”

    Omar Khayyam

  • Week 1: Action for Happiness Calendar #JoyfulJune

    Download the calendar

    “A little joy can brighten your day and fill your heart.” As summer approaches it’s the perfect time to reflect on what brings us happiness and what helps us feel better. Joy can be found in anything even in the simplest things – like the sun. The bright sun that rises in the morning sets the stage for a beautiful, joyful day. #JoyfulJune #SimpleJoy

    Week 2: Make a Joy List

    A joy list is a great way to have kids reflect on what brings them joy whether it’s people, food, things, hobbies, or places. After each student has written down what brings them joy, place it on a poster or cut out the letters of joy and place it anywhere they’d like. Another option is to display their creations in your program space so they can look at them anytime. Here are a couple of templates you can use: My Joy List template and What Brings You Joy? #JoyfulJune #MyJoyList

    Week 3: Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

    In this nature color scavenger hunt activity, youth will work as a team and find natural items that match each color on a color wheel. As they explore the outdoors, they will have the opportunity to reflect on how nature makes them feel and what they enjoy most about spending time outside. After the scavenger hunt, youth can engage in group discussion, sharing their thoughts on the experience and reflect on their personal connection with nature. #JoyfulJune #ExploreNature

    Week 4: Happy Dance

    Dancing gives a fun and expressive way to release tension, boost your mood, and embrace positive energy. Have youth get up and do a happy dance. Make sure they shake things off, like, what they have been feeling throughout the day. They can do the same routine or make up their own dance and steps that make them feel happy. #JoyfulJune #HappyDance

    Week 5: Glitter Jar

    Have youth make their own glitter jar, you will need a jar or bottle, glue, glitter, water, and food coloring (optional). Detailed step-by-step instructions can be found in the hyperlink above. Glitter jars are a fun and creative way to support emotional regulation and mindfulness. They can help with calming down, relaxing, understanding how the brain works, practicing mindful communication, and focus-building. #JoyfulJune #CalmJar

SEL Video of the Month


  • What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and how can I be part of this?

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

  • What is Social-Emotional Learning and why does it matter?

    Per CASEL, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) reflects the critical role of positive relationships and emotional connections in the learning process and helps students develop a range of skills they need for school and life.SEL Framework by CASEL

SEL Resources

  • I Am Poem Template

  • As the pandemic continues, kids are turning to meditation to manage anxiety

  • SEL skills include the ability to:

    •  set and achieve positive goals
    •  feel and show empathy for others
    •  establish and maintain positive relationships
    •  make responsible decisions
    •  understand and manage emotions

     

    All of these skills are necessary—both for educators and students—to function well in the classroom, in the community, and in college and careers.

    Visit the CASEL Interactive SEL Framework to learn more about the CASEL Wheel  (above)

Previous Monthly Themes

  • May 2025—#MeaningfulMay

  • April 2025—#ActiveApril

  • March 2025—#MindfulMarch

  • February 2025—#FriendlyFebruary

  • December 2024—#DoGoodDecember

  • November 2024—#NewWaysNovember

  • October 2024—#OptimisticOctober

  • September 2024—#Self-CareSeptember

  • August 2024—#AltruisticAugust

  • May 2024—#MeaningfulMay

  • April 2024 - #ActiveApril

  • March 2024 - #MindfulMarch

  • January 2024 - #HappierJanuary

  • December 2023 - #DoGoodDecember

  • November 2023 - #NewWaysNovember