Building Social-Emotional Awareness
Researchers have reported that children who participate in social and emotional learning programs perform about 13 percentage points higher in their grades and standardized test scores (Taylor et al., 2017). The benefits of social and emotional learning extend beyond test scores. Examining the social and emotional skills displayed in the books they read may help children connect to what they’re reading, and by discussing these skills as a class they can understand how reading can relate to real-life situations. Additionally, by connecting their reading to social-emotional learning, children are scaffolded to build a positive self-image as readers, learn valuable analytic and executive function skills, and develop and build upon essential life skills that help them understand and navigate the world around them. Core Competencies The social-emotional skills explored in the Rising Voices Library align with the tenets found in many SEL programs, including the CASEL framework. CASEL—the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning—identifies five core competencies that should be prioritized in children’s social-emotional learning, as described in the chart below (CASEL.org).
CASEL Competency
Goals and Assessment
Focus
Self- awareness
The ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior. The ability to accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a “growth mindset.”
• Identifying emotions • Accurate self-perception • Recognizing strengths • Self-confidence • Self-efficacy • Demonstrating honesty and integrity • Examining prejudices and biases
Self- management
The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations—effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, demonstrating agency, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals.
• Impulse control • Stress management • Self-discipline • Self-motivation • Taking initiative • Goal-setting • Organizational skills • Perspective-taking • Empathy • Appreciating diversity • Respect for others
Social awareness
The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports. The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. The ability to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed. The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms. The realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, the demonstration and development of critical thinking skills, and a consideration of the well-being of oneself and others.
Relationship skills
• Communication • Social engagement • Relationship-building • Teamwork • Demonstrating cultural competency • Standing up for others
Responsible decision- making
• Identifying problems • Analyzing situations • Solving problems • Evaluating • Reflecting • Ethical responsibility
20 • Rising Voices Library
12 Rising Voices | Elevating Latino Stories
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