Equipping Staff with Strategies to Intentionally Support Social Emotional Learning

Abstract

Social and emotional learning (SEL) includes learning to be aware of and manage emotions, work well with others, and persevere when faced with challenges. Youth programs develop SEL by intentionally providing young people an opportunity to engage in real-world projects, work in teams, take on meaningful roles, face challenges, and experience the accompanying emotional ups and downs. To do so effectively, child and youth care workers need practical tools and strategies that support SEL skill-building. They need to be fluent in the concepts and language of SEL, and aware of their own SEL competencies and cultural values before than are ready to help support SEL with young people. “Practitioners play an influential role in social and emotional learning of the young people they work with, but it does not happen by accident” (Blyth, Olson, & Walker, 2017, p. 1). Social Emotional Learning in Practice: A Toolkit of Practical Strategies and Resources is a freely downloadable and printable PDF that is available online. It includes activities, templates, and tools organized to help program staff: (a) enhance their knowledge of SEL, their own SEL skills and values, and how their program supports SEL; (b) establish expectations, give feedback, and integrate reflection; (c) infuse SEL into youth program activities; and (d) collect data for program improvement.