This month, we discuss ways to keep learning alive this summer.
3 SEL Leadership Thoughts
The summer months offer a plethora of opportunities to enhance children's social-emotional growth. Family movie nights can be a chance to discuss the perspectives and decisions of fictional characters. Camps and summer programs are a chance to create routines and coping skills to help navigate new social situations. How can we think about ways to equip parents and caregivers to think about incorporating reflection, gratitude practice, or joyspotting with their children this summer? [Tweet This]
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Students should co-author their summer learning journeys alongside educators and family members. A “co-creation” approach to summer can help students feel empowered and excited to explore new topics, connect with their personal interests, and keep the learning alive. [Tweet This]
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When thinking about the summer, it is important to recognize that there is not a one-size-fits-all experience for our students. Some will be working; some will be enrolled in camps or other programming; others will be living with relatives or traveling to new places. As such, the summer is likely going to be somewhat messy for their families to manage. We can both acknowledge and normalize this as well as work to equip families with tools to create the routines that keep learning alive. [Tweet This]
2 Quotes from SEL Leaders
“As educators, we can be mindful of the fact that [at the end of the academic year], our children are transitioning to summer but their parents are often not. They might be continuing to work throughout the summer and maintain the same professional pressures that they feel every month. Given that, it can be very powerful for schools to facilitate reflection at the end of the school year; to deliberately take the time to help families and students close the year in a way that builds metacognition skills they can take forward into the summer.” – Jennifer Miller, Confident Parents Confident Kids [Tweet This]
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“Families should just chill, let their kids explore something they don’t yet know, lead their own learning, and find joy in the process. And maybe also get wet and eat a lot of ice cream.” – Yvonne Liu-Constant, Project Zero [Tweet This]
1 Question to Reflect On
What is one way that you plan to ‘keep learning alive’ for yourself this summer?
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Until next month,
Nick Woolf
Author of SEL in 5
Founder of Inside SEL
p.s. here’s what else I’m reading and listening to: