Bringing Emotional Learning to Life: How Systemic SEL Enriches the Classroom—and Your Home Library

Published on Chaos to Connection Blog

 

When it comes to creating an enriching, nurturing environment for our kids, it’s clear that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a powerful tool. CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) has long been a leader in bringing SEL to the forefront, highlighting how it can be integrated systemically within schools. Their recent discussion on Systemic Implementation of SEL in the Classroom provides a pathway to not only introduce SEL but make it thrive across a school community.

In their approach, CASEL emphasizes that SEL should not be a "one-and-done" effort but instead embedded consistently within classroom routines, teaching styles, and learning experiences. Let’s dive into how this systemic approach can play a pivotal role in the emotional growth of young minds—and how my books align with these principles.

What Does Systemic SEL Look Like?

According to CASEL, systemic SEL is about creating an environment where emotional intelligence becomes second nature for students and educators alike. This means:

• Integrating SEL into Daily Activities: SEL isn’t an isolated part of the curriculum; it’s woven into every lesson. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate mindfulness, empathy, and social awareness throughout the day.
• Developing Emotional Vocabulary: Teachers and students alike engage in practices that build emotional vocabulary—an essential skill that helps young learners articulate their feelings and understand others.
• Supportive and Reflective Environment: SEL becomes effective when there’s an atmosphere of trust and reflection. Creating safe spaces for discussion and empathetic exchanges is key.

SEL and My Books: Building Emotional Foundations

This is exactly where my children’s books come in. With Max the Mischievous Monkey Masters Mindfulness, I aimed to support children in learning about their emotions in a playful yet insightful way. Through the adventures of Max, children not only explore their feelings but are introduced to mindfulness in a fun, relatable context.

In alignment with CASEL’s findings:

• Daily Integration Through Stories: Max the Mischievous Monkey is perfect for integrating SEL into daily classroom routines or story time at home. By reading and discussing Max’s escapades, children learn emotional regulation, which resonates with CASEL's emphasis on consistent integration.
• Developing Emotional Language: The rhyming structure in the book helps children engage with and remember key emotional concepts, enhancing their emotional vocabulary. Just as CASEL recommends, the story doesn’t shy away from discussing big emotions; instead, it invites children to name and manage them.
• Supportive Learning Environment: Teachers and parents can use the questions and scenarios presented in the book as a springboard for open discussion. This helps create that safe space, where kids are encouraged to share their own stories, much like CASEL’s model of reflective SEL.

From Chaos to Connection in the Classroom and Beyond

My work, including From Chaos to Connection: A Handbook for Harmony in Today’s Classroom, aligns beautifully with CASEL's systemic approach. This book provides educators with hands-on strategies to integrate emotional intelligence seamlessly into their lessons. CASEL's emphasis on systemic integration is a call to educators: this work isn’t done in isolation, and having practical resources makes it achievable.

By making SEL a natural part of our classrooms and homes, we’re building not only better students but better humans—children who are ready to face the complexities of the world with empathy, resilience, and awareness.

Explore More with CASEL

For those interested in the broader systemic approach that CASEL champions, you can read more about their initiatives and findings here. Their insights are invaluable, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just a passionate advocate for children's emotional well-being.

What are some ways you’ve integrated SEL in your classrooms or homes? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below—let’s continue to bring these essential skills into the everyday lives of our children.