Editor: Cynthia White

Welcome Educators!

This site provides educators with research-based strategies to help foster students' social and emotional growth from the early childhood to the adolescent years. We have milestones, classroom ideas, and family resources to help with self-regulation and well-being.

Why SEL Matters

Healthy social and emotional well being and development begins long before birth.

  • Prenatal Care- Adequate nutrition, limited exposure to stress or toxins-supports optimal brain development, lowering later risk for anxiety or behavior problems.
  • Early Childhood Experiences- Secure attachments and responsive caregiving-create neural pathways for emotion regulation and positive relationships that carry into adolescence.

Development Stages & Social/Emotional Milestones

Early Childhood (3 - 5 years)

- Recognizes and labels a wide range of feelings.

- Begins cooperative play and learns to share.

- Shows early empathy and comfort for peers.

“Between the ages of 3 and 5 years, children begin to express a wider range of emotions, develop empathy, and start to engage in cooperative play with peers”
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019).

 

Middle Childhood (6 - 11 years)

- Starts to see situations through different perspectives. Gains more empathy.

- Uses problem solving to manage peer conflict.

- Understands and follows complex social rules.

“During middle childhood, children form more complex friendships based on trust and begin to understand and regulate their own emotions more effectively”
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019).

 

Adolescence (12 - 18 years)
- Forms a stable sense of identity and values.

- Develops deeper peer and romantic relationships.

- Refines emotional regulation, though mood swings are common.               

“Adolescents are focused on developing their personal identity and often seek emotional independence from their families, while peer relationships become increasingly important”
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019).

Classroom Social/Emotional Activities

Early Childhood

1. Emotion Sorting game - Children draw picture cards with emotional faces on them and match them to colored bins labeled with emotions.

  • Why it helps: Builds emotion recognition and categorization skills.

2. Calm Down Corners- A space for children to calm down and self-regulate away from the stimuli of the classroom.

  • Why it helps: it teaches them how to pause, reflect, and self-soothe rather than act out impulsively.

Middle Childhood

1. Emotion Charades - Students draw an emotion from a stack of cards (e.g., embarrassed, proud, disappointed) and act it out. Others guess the emotion.

  • Why it helps: Builds emotional vocabulary and empathy.

2. Mood Meter - Use a color-coded chart for moods: red, yellow, blue, green for students to place their name/magnet or respond privately in a journal.

  • Why it helps: Encourages daily check-ins and emotional recognition.

Adolescence

1. Identity Collage / Vision Board - students create a collage (digital or paper) using words, photos, or drawings that represent who they are, their values, and goals.

  • Why it helps: Helps teens explore their evolving identity and reflect on what’s important to them. Identity

2. "I Am" Poems

  • Prompt example:
    I am...
    I wonder...
    I fear...
    I dream...

  • Why it helps: Encourages personal reflection and emotional expression in a creative format.

Self - Regulation

“Self-regulation refers to the processes by which individuals control their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to achieve goals and respond appropriately to environmental demands”
(Zimmerman, 2000, p. 14).

Self-regulation is not just about emotional control — it also includes cognitive and behavioral regulation, which are crucial in a learning environment.

 

Examples:

 

  • Taking deep breaths to calm down when feeling angry or upset.

     

  • Waiting patiently for your turn during a game or conversation.

     

  • Using words to express feelings instead of yelling or crying.

     

  • Stopping and thinking before reacting to a frustrating situation.

  • Following classroom rules even when you don’t feel like it.

     

     

  • Recognizing when you need a break and asking for help.

     

  • Managing disappointment calmly when things don’t go your way.

Ways a Teacher can model & encourage self-regulation skills in the classroom:

1. Model Calm-Down Strategies Out Loud

  • Teachers can narrate their own self-regulation:

    “I’m feeling a little frustrated right now, so I’m going to take a deep breath before we continue.”

  • This teaches students that strong emotions are normal and that there are healthy ways to manage them.

2. Create and Use a Calm-Down Corner or Toolkit

  • Provide a safe space in the classroom where students can go to self-regulate when overwhelmed.

  • Equip it with sensory tools, breathing prompts, stress balls, or glitter bottles.

  • Teach students how and when to use the space proactively, not as punishment.

3. Teach and Practice Self-Regulation Skills Routinely

  • Use short daily routines to practice:

    • Mindfulness

    • Deep breathing

    • “Stop and think” problem-solving steps

  • Embed activities into the classroom (e.g., journal reflections, role-plays, goal setting).

  • Reinforce use of these skills when students apply them independently.

 

 

Social/Emotional Learning Strategies and Self-regulation skills for Families:

Social/Emotional Learning Strategies for Families

  1. Model Emotion Naming and Expression

    • Talk openly about feelings: “I’m feeling happy because…,” “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes.”

    • This helps kids build an emotional vocabulary.

  2. Create Family Routines and Rituals

    • Consistent routines give children a sense of security and predictability.

    • Rituals like family dinners encourage connection and open communication.

  3. Encourage Empathy and Kindness

    • Discuss others’ feelings and perspectives in daily situations.

    • Praise acts of kindness to reinforce positive social behavior.

  4. Practice Problem-Solving Together

    • When conflicts arise, help children think through solutions rather than reacting immediately.

    • Ask questions like, “What could we do differently next time?”

🧘 Self-Regulation Skills for Families

  1. Teach Deep Breathing and Calm-Down Techniques

    • Practice breathing exercises together when emotions run high.

    • Use tools like counting to 10, or visual aids (e.g., blowing bubbles).

  2. Create a Calm-Down Space at Home

    • Make a corner with books, sensory toys, or soft cushions where the child can retreat to calm down.

  3. Use Visual Schedules and Timers

    • Helps children anticipate transitions and manage frustration.

  4. Model Self-Regulation as Parents/Caregivers

    • Show how you manage your own emotions by verbalizing your strategies:

SEL Book Recommendations for Teens

  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

  • A Teen’s Guide to Emotional Intelligence by Anita Navalta Bautista

  • Just As You Are: A Teen’s Guide to Self-Acceptance and Lasting Self-Esteem by Michelle Skeen & Kelly Skeen

Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoyed our website and found some helpful tips. Enjoy your adventures in teaching!

Create Your Own Website With Webador