September 2023 - Back To School Month
It’s back to school season, one of the most exciting times of the year for kids! After a fun and relaxing summer break, students are ready to reconnect with their peers and tackle this new school year with the guidance and support of their teachers. In order to help teachers prepare for another year of learning, growth, and new experiences, we wanted to provide some tips to make the transition back to school as smooth and enjoyable as possible, and it starts with incorporating Social-Emotional Learning in classrooms. SEL plays a crucial role in creating well-rounded students who can navigate life's challenges with empathy, resilience, and self-awareness, and it is the key to having a successful school year!
Why SEL Matters
Social-emotional learning is the process through which individuals develop important skills for managing emotions, building positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. These skills are not only valuable in school but also in all aspects of life. Here's why SEL matters:
Improved Academic Performance: Students with strong SEL skills tend to perform better academically since they are better able to handle stress, focus on their studies, and collaborate with peers.
Enhanced Mental Health: SEL helps both students and educators cope with stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges, contributing to better mental well-being.
Positive Relationships: By understanding emotions and practicing empathy, students can form healthier relationships with classmates and teachers.
Conflict Resolution: SEL equips individuals with problem-solving skills, reducing conflicts and promoting a harmonious school environment.
Social Emotional Learning is essential in teaching students self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Please check out this article on 15 Strategies to Incorporate Social Emotional Learning in Classrooms
Mental Preparation
The transition into a new school year can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming for both students and teachers, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right mindset and preparation, you can reacclimate and get back into the flow.
Here are a few ways students can mentally prepare themselves for the school year:
Set a regular sleep pattern
Write a “new school year resolutions” list
Familiarize yourself with the required readings
Eat breakfast
Go in with a positive attitude!
Additionally, here are some things teachers can do to ease into the new school year:
Reflect on the previous school year
Get organized
Develop a self-care plan
Connect with colleagues
Remember what you enjoy about teaching!
Check out these article for more tips:
How To Mentally Prepare For Going Back to School - Faze — These tips can help students start the new year with confidence!
What to Do If You Didn’t Want to Go Back to School | Edutopia — These suggestions can help teachers fight their new-school-year anxiety to have a successful year.
The Importance of Character Education
Students have the power to change the world, and teachers have the power to get them there. When you put a naturally curious student who learns from their experiences and interactions in the world in a setting that values character education, it unlocks an endless amount of positive growth for the child.
Character Education helps students:
Develop strong moral and ethical values
Communicate respectfully
Understand the importance of responsibility, empathy, and self-development
Form healthy relationships, manage their emotions, and make responsible choices
Navigate finding a sense of identity, figuring out their values, and improving their attitudes toward themselves and others
For more information, check out the following:
Brighten Your Child’s Future Through Character Education (positiveaction.net)
How to Teach Elementary Students Character in the Classroom and Online | Edutopia
Back to School Resources:
5 Tips to Mentally Prepare for the First Month of School (upchieve.org) — Students, get back into the swing of things at the start of the school year with these 5 tips!
Preparing for College Mental Health, not Just Academics (childmind.org) — How can students prepare for the emotional challenges they may face as they transition into college, and how can parents support them?
Best Practices for Character Education Implementation in the Classroom (positiveaction.net) — Find out how easy it is to implement character education in a classroom setting.
Character Education: As Important as Academics? | Parenting (greatschools.org) — So how important is character education, really? Learn why character education should be a priority in schools and how parent can help.