Schools are out for the Summer
School is out and that means students have more free time. Some students may have vacations planned, summer camps, summer school, etc. but how can you promote social-emotional learning at home?
Working on social-emotional skills takes practice and just like a muscle they need to be worked on. So how can you help promote social-emotional learning?
Ways to promote social-emotional learning and well being:
1- Get outside: Warm weather and sunny days is what summer is all about. Make sure to get outside and enjoy it. See what works for your family. A digestive walk after dinner? A walk in the morning? Going to the park on weekends? Fresh air can do wonders for our mental health and summer is the easiest time to get outside.
2- Read: Make yourself a nice space to read with your child. You can choose to read books that have SEL components, read and discuss. You can also choose a book you both are interested in and make it part of your routine. Spending time together enjoying the same activity is important and can help nurture your connection and communication.
3- Journal: Journaling is a great way to help understand how you are feeling and how your child is feeling. It has proven to reduce stress and anxiety in students while helping them find inspiration and self-confidence.
4- Create: Creating can take on many forms: cooking, art, building, music, etc. Create a goal and encourage your child to create. A creative outlet can also reduce stress and anxiety, gives you a sense of purpose, and can help your child work through obstacles to obtain their goal.
5- Slow down: Make sure to take a step back and be in the moment. Spend time with family and friends.
6- Cultivate friendships: Staying connected is very important. Make sure to organize play dates, and meet up with school friends and new friends. Many people are out and about during the summertime so it’s a great time to meet new people.
7- Have meals together: This can go hand in hand with slowing down. Sharing meals together can help promote positive interaction and communication. It is a great time to catch up and touch base with everyone in the family. This may not work for every night BUT if you can make it a point to share a meal at least once a week it can have a great effect on the connection between you and your child.
8- Embrace community: Summer is full of festivals, markets, music at the park, events, etc. Take the time to see what is going on in your community and make a point to go. This is a great way to build positive interactions with your community and enjoy the culture.