Teaching Social and Emotional Skills to Very Young Learners

 

Developing Social and Emotional Learning material for very young learners is a big challenge as well as a rewarding experience. We need to respect the kids’ needs and acknowledge their capacity to read reality. In this way, we can help them to reflect upon their experiences and draw their own conclusions.

As Diana Coholic* (2010) asserts, “arts-based and experiential methods are an excellent way to access, express and process transpersonal issues, thoughts, experiences and feelings.” As a consequence, we need to use them to create the ideal atmosphere for very young learners to dive into their inner selves, to focus on special issues and to learn to interact with others in a healthy way. Games and corners are useful tools to serve these purposes.

When I was offered the opportunity to develop booklets to be used to help very young learners to work in the development of social and emotional skills I decided to accept the challenge and I am really thankful to have done so. I have learned a lot about children and much more about myself. That is the magic of mindfulness. We mirror many behaviours and understand them better.

*COHOLIC, D. (2010) Arts activities for children and young people in need : helping children to develop mindfulness, spiritual awareness and self-esteem . Jessica Kingsley Publishers. USA