Social, Emotional, Behavioral Supports

What are the life skills strengthened by social, emotional and behavioral supports?

Social, emotional and behavioral strategies and curriculum are simply put, ways to enhance life skills to support our students for success in school and in life. Not only do they unequivocally enhance academic performance, but they prepare students for the challenges of life and give them job readiness skills. They prioritize conflict resolution skills, responsible decision making, making good choices, social and self awareness to build empathy and gain different perspectives. These skills are the KEYS to job marketability and preparing students for the real world. Academics only get you so far - whether or not you get hired for a job depends on how you interact with others. Social, emotional and behavioral strategies are a whole child approach to developing those important life skills and emotional Intelligence. In fact, direct teaching these skills increases academic performance by at least 11 percentage points.

Connection to Whole Child Success

Job Readiness and Emotional Intelligence

Student Outcomes Infusing Social, Emotional and Behavioral Learning

Key Research on SEL from Microsoft Corporation and McKinsey & Company -

"The Class of 2030 and Life-Ready Learning: The Technology Imperative"

"Social-emotional skills provide students with the perspective and flexibility necessary to function at a high level even when faced with uncertainty, change, pressure, stress and other work and life changes."
"Overall, social skills, such as persuasion, emotional intelligence and teaching others - will be in higher demand across industries than narrow technical skills, such as programming or equipment operation and control. In essence, technical skills will need to be supplemented with strong social and collaboration skills."
"Research has found that high-level social-emotional skills developed during childhood are correlated with a number of beneficial long-term health and well-being outcomes as adults, including lower rates of obesity, substance abuse and criminal activity, and greater satisfaction in relationships and positive contributions to society."

Additionally:

STUDENTS who report higher social and emotional competencies are:
- gaining significantly higher reading and math test scores and weighted high school GPAs
- more likely to graduate on time
- less likely to be at-risk for dropout
- showing lower rates of suspension and absenteeism
- Significantly increased graduation rates
- Lower rates of suspension and absenteeism

Benefits of Social, Emotional and Behavioral Skill Building:

Review of over 700 studies on the benefits of social and emotional learning demonstrated the following data consistent across all studies:

9% decrease in conduct problems, such as classroom misbehavior and aggression
10% decrease in emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression
9% improvement in attitudes about self, others, and school
23% improvement in social and emotional skills
9% improvement in school and classroom behavior
11 % improvement in achievement test scores

Social and Emotional Competencies

What Skills do ISD 728 Prioritize in Strategic Action Plan?

Self Awareness

WHY Self-Awareness?

Success in school and life is completely dependent on the ability to be self-aware.
When kids are self-aware, they understand that how they see themselves may be different from how others see them.
Kids who are self-aware recognize their strengths and their challenges.
Self-awareness makes it easier for kids to build self-esteem and speak up for what they need.

The Importance of Self-Awareness in Kids - Understood.org

Self-awareness: The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior. Includes the importance of understanding emotions and how they show up, self-efficacy, growth mindset, sense of purpose, goal setting, honesty and integrity, noticing feelings and thoughts and more.

Ideas on Building Self-Awareness

How can Parents Support this Skill?

Develop checklists for your kids
Younger children may benefit from visual reminders of their strengths and weaknesses
Be actors - role play in preparation of meeting new people or entering a new setting
Be "reporters" - talk about social interactions you observe in the real world
Be a friend - help your child plan for play dates by discussing what they might both enjoy
Estimate how easy or difficult a task might be to help gauge ability to complete work
Express yourself
Encourage estimation and prediction skills

Relationship Skills

Relationship skills: The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the capacities to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, navigate settings with differing social and cultural demands and opportunities, provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed. Simply put, it is about being respectful to and getting along with others, no matter their backgrounds or belief systems.

Such as:

Communicating effectively
Developing positive relationships
Demonstrating cultural competency
Practicing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving
Resolving conflicts constructively
Resisting negative social pressure
Showing leadership in groups
Seeking or offering support and help when needed
Standing up for the rights of others

Ideas on How to Support Positive Relationships

Self-Management

Self-management: The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.

Such as:

Managing one’s emotions
Identifying and using stress management strategies
Exhibiting self-discipline and self-motivation
Setting personal and collective goals
Using planning and organizational skills
Showing the courage to take initiative
Demonstrating personal and collective agency

Ideas to help with Self-Management

Responsible Decision Making

Responsible decision-making: The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. This includes the capacities to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being. It includes the importance of refusing peer pressure on a variety of things, including bullying and substance use, as well as goal setting and making choices to ensure success in life and career.

Such as:

Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness
Learning how to make a reasoned judgment after analyzing information, data, and facts
Identifying solutions for personal and social problems
Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one’s actions
Recognizing how critical thinking skills are useful both inside and outside of school
Reflecting on one’s role to promote personal, family, and community well-being
Evaluating personal, interpersonal, community, and institutional impacts

Ideas on How to Support Responsible Decision Making

Social Awareness

Social awareness: The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. This includes the capacities to feel compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings, and recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

Such as:

Taking others’ perspectives
Recognizing strengths in others
Demonstrating empathy and compassion
Showing concern for the feelings of others
Understanding and expressing gratitude
Identifying diverse social norms
Recognizing situational demands and opportunities
Understanding the influences of organizations and systems on behavior

Understanding the perspectives of others is NOT about changing the positions people hold. It is about learning to understand another's perspective, even if it is not the same as your own. While you might not share the same views, it is important to not be dismissive of them and to dig deeper to try to appreciate where those views come from. We become better people and a stronger community when we learn to respect one another and the differences that make each of us unique.

Ideas on How to Support Social Awareness

Parents Resources for Building Social, Emotional and Behavioral Skills

Child Mind Institute - One of the best single resources for parents on social, emotional and behavioral issues, including: ADHD and attention, anxiety, autism, bathroom/bedwetting, behavior problems, college, confidence and self-esteem, mental wellbeing, depression and mood disorders, drugs and alcohol, eating and eating disorders, executive functions, family issues, friends and socializing, gender and sexuality, learning disorders, OCD and related disorders, school functioning, screen time, sensory processing, sleep, suicide and self harm, healthy development, Tics and Tourette's, trauma and grief and so much more. Includes a "Symptoms Checker" to point you to the right resources.

TryingTogether.org - A resource supporting social and emotional development (developmental milestones, emotions and awareness, social skills, empathy, integrity, friendship, digital wellness), self esteem and confidence, challenging emotions and behaviors, family guides and tip sheets and activities to build the skills.

Pathway to Success - 15+ Ideas for Social Emotional Summer Learning - Integrate ongoing learning related to coping skills, empathy, friendship and more during summer months with fun activities!

Change to Chill from Allina Health - Mindfulness & Stress Resources for Teens

Health Powered Kids from Allina Health - Wellness Activities for Kids

Greater Good Science Center - Great articles on issues relating to overall happiness, resilience, kindness and connection, including a "Parenting Initiative" which helps parents raise caring, courageous kids.

Parent Teen Connect - Resources relating to screen time, independence, responsibility and communication with your teenagers.

Go Noodle - Using technology, Go Noodle shares lessons around personal and community wellness, mental and physical health, and more in ways that are fun and engaging.

18 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused

Promoting Young Children's Social and Emotional Health

Parenting Montana

The Coping Skills Toolbox

* A variety of resources providing ideas and suggestions for coping strategies. Each toolbox should be unique to each person, but they give you ideas on strategies that might be helpful in responding to difficult emotions.

Making a Coping Skills Toolbox

Coping Skills Toolkit - Baldwin County Board of Education - collection of favorite and healthy items to use when feeling anxious, panicky or distressed

Coping Toolbox from Mental Health America

Coping Toolbox Booklet - ages 6-12 - allows for children to learn and practice new ways to cope with difficult emotions such as worry, overwhelm, stress and anxiety.

How to Make a Coping Toolbox

Create a Coping Toolbox for Teens

Practices Supporting Social, Emotional & Behavioral Skills

Why do we Lose Control of our Emotions?

Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is being aware of one's internal state and surroundings. It helps people avoid destructive or automatic habits and responses by learning to observe their thoughts, emotions and other experiences without judging or reacting to them. Our life experiences cause us to respond in a certain way. Trauma and other adverse experiences can cause us to react without thinking, often in unhelpful ways. With kids especially, it shows up in behaviors. Mindfulness is a way of forcing the brain to take a pause so you can get back to your rational brain, instead of your amygdala (responsible for fight, flight and freeze response). Think about it this way - if you get cut off in traffic, you might get upset and yell or respond in other stress-induced ways. If you take a few deep breaths, you can calm yourself and temper your response. Simply put, mindfulness is that very practice. It promotes positive change in the brain pathways that impact stress, focus and attention, memory and mood. The value of these practices in education is scientifically proven. It allows kids to self regulate, regain control of their emotions, focus so they are better able to learn and engage with others.

Mindful.org

Teaches mindfulness to kids, equipping them with tools to build self-esteem, manage stress and skillfully approach challenges.

ISD 728 Virtual Calming Corner

When life gets overwhelming, take a break! ISD 728 has a commitment to dedicated spaces and strategies to promote self-regulation. In the real world, we often do not have the luxury of a designated calming room, so we want to promote strategies and solutions to give us a moment to take a breath. Tap into these resources for yourself, your students or your family!

The Science Behind Mindfulness

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices in education are centered around building community and maintaining and building healthy relationships. Since all learning is centered on relationships, fostering strong relationships through restorative practices is an important strategy for all learners. It also builds accountability for actions when someone or something is harmed.

Behavior Resources

ParentingMontana.org provides specific tools for specific behaviors based upon your child's age! A phenomenal tools to support parents and caregivers struggling with behaviors. Hover over the specific age to identify common behavior challenges. I am adding links to some of the most highlighted areas of concern.

Specific age related topics are as follow:

0 years old: confidence, empathy, kindness, reading, discipline, happiness, listening, resilience
1 years old: confidence, eating, happiness, discipline, listening, resilience, empathy, kindness, reading, routines
2 years old: confidence, happiness, discipline, listening, resilience, empathy kindness, reading, routines, talking about differences, defiance and power struggles, repairing harm, responsibility, stress, tantrums
3 years old: confidence, happiness, discipline, listening, resilience, empathy kindness, reading, routines, talking about differences, defiance and power struggles, repairing harm, responsibility, stress and anxiety, eating, tantrums
4 years old: confidence, happiness, discipline, listening, resilience, empathy kindness, reading, routines, talking about differences, defiance and power struggles, repairing harm, responsibility, stress and anxiety, eating, tantrums
5 years old: anger, bullying , confidence, discipline, disrespect, homework, lying, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, tantrums
6 years old: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, disrespect , homework, lying, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, tantrums
7 years old: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, disrespect , homework, lying, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, tantrums
8 years old: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, disrespect , homework, lying, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, tantrums
9 years old: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, disrespect , homework, lying, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, tantrums
10 years old: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, disrespect , homework, lying, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, tantrums
11 years old: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, disrespect , homework, lying, establishing rules about marijuana, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, establishing rules about alcohol, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, peer pressure
12 years old: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, disrespect , homework, lying, establishing rules about marijuana, mixed messages about marijuana, responsibility, sharing, talking about differences, back talk, chores, conflict, empathy, friends, listening, establishing rules about alcohol, mixed messages about alcohol, reading, repairing harm, routines, stress and anxiety, peer pressure

Social emotional intelligence are the key attributes for success in life and career. The top 5 skills listed are all social emotional skills.

3 Trends in the Workforce

"Fortune 500" and "Entrepreneur" magazines have both highlighted an article called "What is Emotional Intelligence and Why Does it Matter?" (See also "Why You Need Emotional Intelligence to succeed in Business?" You NEED emotional intelligence to succeed in business and in life

Rising Demand for Global Problem Solvers

Collaborative Problem Solving at a global level is critical
Cooperation skills
Digital citizenship
Life skills and social emotional competencies to respond and adapt to a changing world
Self Awareness
Responsible Decision Making
Empathy
Teamwork
Relationship Building
Resilience

Change in the Skill Sets Required at Work

"The idea that you educate for jobs is an idea of the past. Today, you learn to create your future, to create your job." - Andreas Schleicher (OECD).

Top 5 In-Demand Skills by 2025

Analytical and innovative thinking
Active learning
Complex problem solving
Critical thinking and analysis
Creativity, originality and initiative

Shift to a Lifelong Learning Mindset

"We learn in different ways, in different careers and in different spaces. It's becoming more and more clear that people need to be able to access education throughout their lives." - Martin Henry

Motivation will come from a need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing labor market
Need to build in a passion for learning

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Social, Emotional, Behavioral Supports

What are the life skills strengthened by social, emotional and behavioral supports?

Connection to Whole Child Success

Job Readiness and Emotional Intelligence

Student Outcomes Infusing Social, Emotional and Behavioral Learning

Key Research on SEL from Microsoft Corporation and McKinsey & Company -

Benefits of Social, Emotional and Behavioral Skill Building:

Social and Emotional Competencies

What Skills do ISD 728 Prioritize in Strategic Action Plan?

Self Awareness

Relationship Skills

Self-Management

Responsible Decision Making

Social Awareness

Parents Resources for Building Social, Emotional and Behavioral Skills

The Coping Skills Toolbox

Practices Supporting Social, Emotional & Behavioral Skills

Why do we Lose Control of our Emotions?

Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness?

Mindful.org

ISD 728 Virtual Calming Corner

Restorative Practices

Behavior Resources

3 Trends in the Workforce

Rising Demand for Global Problem Solvers

Change in the Skill Sets Required at Work

Top 5 In-Demand Skills by 2025

Shift to a Lifelong Learning Mindset

Top 10 Job Readiness Skills

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