Y child care incorporates social emotional learning

BY BRIAN FLYNN, LVO YMCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In the spirit of #SELday this month, the Y wants to share a special shout-out to the teachers and inclusion specialists in our school-age programs who are committed to each child and their learning path. SEL (social emotional learning) is integral to a cohesive, inclusive and welcoming learning environment and our staff is trained to incorporate SEL activities to create teachable moments throughout the day as children learn to navigate social experiences with their peers.

Our programs refer to the CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) framework for the five core competencies in social emotional learning; selfawareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decisionmaking. SEL helps children understand and manage their emotions, build positive relationships and make responsible decisions.

We know that social emotional learning also supports academic success and helps children improve their academic performance by increasing their focus, motivation and engagement in the learning process. It can lead to better mental health with the idea that children who learn social emotional skills are less likely to experience anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. SEL can also help children develop healthy social skills, such as communication, empathy and conflict resolution.

Jean McCartin, director of inclusion for the YMCA of the North Shore said, “We are so fortunate to have teachers and our inclusion specialist support staff in our programs who understand the importance of social emotional learning and inclusion. Our Y is committed to ensuring that our staff have the tools and training to provide each child what they need to learn, grow and thrive. We recently hosted an education symposium where 300 teachers and staff representing 42 educational programming locations across the North Shore came together to explore new and innovative ways to create a welcoming, nurturing environment in their classrooms. We know what works and it is our job to implement it in our learning spaces so each child is set up for success.” Research shows that children who learn SEL skills are better equipped to form positive relationships with their peers and adults and are better equipped to develop critical thinking skills, which are essential for making responsible decisions. The benefits of social emotional learning for school-age children include increased self-esteem, better communication skills, improved empathy, better coping skills and an increased ability to bounce back fromsetbacks and challenges.

Here are some examples of some of the social-emotional classroom activities we layer into our programs:

1. Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help children manage their emotions and reduce stress.

2. Role-playing activities can help children practice empathy, communication and conflict resolution skills.

3. Gratitude journaling, encouraging children to write down things they are grateful for each day, can help them develop a positive outlook on life.

4. Collaborative projects can help children learn to work together and build positive relationships.

5. Regular feelings check-ins can help children identify and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

Overall, social emotional learning is essential for school age children’s well-being.

By teaching children social emotional skills, we can help them become happier, healthier and more successful individuals. The Y offers programs for infants through the teen years and with the addition of inclusion specialists in each of our child care programs, our teachers have more support and resources to better serve each child on their path to learning.

To learn more about Y child care visit northshoreymca.org/ childcare-camp

Refer a friend

Refer a friend to the Y and ‘ll thank you with a free month of membership while your friend receives a $0 enrollment fee. Visit the welcome center or reach out to the Membership Director Jane Rizza at rizzaj@ northshoreymca.org.

About the YMCA

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. For more than 160 years, the YMCA of the North Shore has been the foundation of the community. It serves more than 45,000 members and program participants in 25 cities and towns across the North Shore and in southern New Hampshire.