Formando Vidas SEL

Category: Prevention

Keep Those Brains Active

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Keep Those Brains Active

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“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin

During the pandemic, many conversations came up about gaining the “quarantine 15”. (We might have all fell prey to some sort of weight gain!) There were months of more sedentary days. Just as our bodies get flabby and out of shape, our minds can get out of shape over the summer if we don’t engage them and keep them active.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Jigsaw Puzzles are a fun way to challenge the brain. Young children learn the concept of fractions of the picture being a part of the whole. They also learn shape recognition and fine motor skills. Research suggests puzzles aid in increasing concentration and sharpening memory. My mom typically got out a jigsaw puzzle in the cold winter months, but why not summer. They are a fun way to give the brain exercise while also boosting our mood.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Learning a New Language is a great way to keep your brain active and challenged. Today, there are many apps for young and old alike to learn a new language. My 10-year-old granddaughter is doing this and has partnered with one of her friends as they challenge each other to complete 5 lessons each week. This keeps both of them on track and in the process, they are learning French! A couple apps to consider are Duolingo and Gus on the Go.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Dance! Dancing releases endorphins, improves coordination, strengthens muscles and is just plain fun! Learning a new line dance or joining a dance class will keep your brain remembering the moves and sequences of the steps. There are many tutorials on YouTube for learning a line dance. May I suggest the Cupid Shuffle, a personal favorite.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Be the Teacher. Teach a friend or family member how to do something, such as making a craft, playing a card game, or playing a musical instrument. Being the teacher keeps your brain thinking of how to put yourself in the student’s shoes remembering when you learned. You will have to recall each step in the process and think through the “how to’s” that will help them be a success. Patience will be needed in seeing mistakes and knowing how to correct them. Reverse the roles and have them teach you something. Of course, learning exercises the brain every time.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Above are just a few of the many ways you can ensure that your brains don’t turn to mush over the break. You can return to school knowing your brain is in shape and ready to learn. Follow Benjamin Franklin’s advice and make some investments in knowledge![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

July 22, 2021
De-Stress, Teachers
De-Stress, Teachers

Hats off and cheers to teachers! You did it! If you’re reading this, you survived teaching through a pandemic—uncharted waters. Our appreciation and admiration goes out to you beyond words. All the things you had in place through your education and experience were like a “table cloth trick” yanked away for you to try to keep everything in place on the table with your students learning. Now another school year is in the books!

If you got used to virtual learning/teaching, not so fast, you will more than likely return to your more familiar in-person teaching if you haven’t already. Your rhythms and routines have changed back and forth. Like a chameleon, you have adapted and made it work.

Teachers, The old McDonald’s commercial jingle said, “You deserve a break today…” If anyone has deserved it, it is you!

Here are a few tips to put your school year in the past and enjoy a summer of relaxation and de-stressing:
- Treat yourself –You are a survivor and this is an act of self-care. This may mean going to your local ice cream place and splurging on your favorite sundae or purchasing that pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on.
- Read a good book – Your time off is a great time to enjoy a book by the pool, on a beach, or on a hammock in the backyard. Your escape to another time or another place through reading distracts you from daily stressors.
- Exercise – Go to your neighborhood gym to do your favorite work-out or join a session of fun classes. Keeping your body fit through exercise will release endorphins that improve your physical and emotional being.
- Get away from the routines and schedules – If your time and resources can’t afford an out-of-town vacation, spend a night away at a hotel or bed and breakfast. Take a day trip to a great state park or water park.
- Make memories – Be intentional about going to lunch with friends and about having fun with children and/or grandchildren. Now is the time, because it slips away so quickly.
- Revive an old hobby – Creativity through writing helps to manage emotions. Creativity through drawing and painting expresses emotions. Music is therapeutic in relaxation.
The pandemic took its toll. If your emotional health is in serious jeopardy, please seek out a good counselor to work through this. You are valuable, teacher. Your self-care is important to students and parents alike. Have a blast during this much needed summer break!
July 7, 2021
The Impact of Social Emotional Learning

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The Impact of Social Emotional Learning

As an educator, finding ways to help a student battling various academic and social issues can be a real challenge. But integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) techniques can offer much relief. A recent study reveals that SEL can positively impact conduct problems, emotional distress, academics, and drug use for up to 18 years. This piece focuses on the impact of social-emotional learning on the overall life of a student.

What is Social Emotional Learning?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in education refers to a methodology designed to help students comprehend their emotions and fully interact with those emotions while demonstrating empathy for others. The learned behaviors will then be utilized to help students choose positive, responsible decisions, create strategies to achieve their goals and cultivate positive relationships with those around them.

What Are the Impacts of SEL on a Student?

Academic Achievement

A recent study on the impacts of SEL on the intellectual life of students reveals the program can help increase a student’s test score by 11 percent. Compared to the students who didn’t participate in SEL programs, those who participated recorded improvements in their classroom behaviors and increased their ability to manage stress and depression. The students who benefited from the SEL program also developed more positive attitudes about themselves, the school, and fellow learners.

Positive Life Outcomes

Studies reveal teaching social skills at an early age helps students avoid psychiatric issues, substance abuse problems, and other risky behaviors. Early intervention with SEL programs show outcomes that stretch far into adulthood by minimizing the life risks commonly associated with social problems.

SEL Helps With Trauma

Integrating social-emotional learning programs into your learning and teaching environment can help equip young students with strategies to cope with everyday disappointments, as well as trauma. A recent study revealed a large percent of the young American population has witnessed at least one violent incident in their lifetime.

SEL programs help such students to respond to the effects of traumatic events by equipping them with social-emotional competencies. The programs are designed to re-shape the brain and reverse the effects of chronic stress due to past traumatic events. SEL can be a top-notch tool for repairing the damage of trauma and building lifetime coping skills, especially for the most at-risk students living in poverty and who may have experienced traumatic events.

Reduced Aggression

SEL can help you reduce aggression in a classroom setting so that you focus on imparting knowledge. Several studies reveal students who receive SEL training were 42 percent less likely to display aggressive behaviors in schools. SEL programs integrate mindfulness techniques that effectively reduce reactive behavior and aggression in students.

Let Hope Rising SEL Integrate Hope into Your Classrooms

If your students are struggling in class and your school performance is unimpressive, they could be finding the conventional school and learning environments as sources of anxiety and stress. This could manifest in diminished motivation, engagement and may eventually lead to harmful behaviors. Social Emotional Learning programs have had positive effects on children’s behavioral, social-emotional, and academic lives. Although SEL is not a designated subject such as English or Math, you can weave it into your school’s curriculum and leverage it as a tool to solve some of your pertinent challenges.

If you are looking for a solution to bring SEL to your schools, we invite you to explore My Best Me, our hope-certified SEL Curriculum.

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May 28, 2021
Domestic Violence and Children

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Domestic Violence and Children

Children are innocent victims of domestic violence in the home. Many children suffer direct abuse from one or both parents or a caregiver. Other children witness violent behavior between parents, whether physical or emotional, on a day-in and day-out basis. The children are the ones who believe lies that they are either the cause of the violence or that they could have stopped the domestic abuse. They suffer without a voice, and the results play out in tell-tale symptoms. The observant and perceptive teacher, caregiver, or grandparent would be wise to assist the child with getting help.

Some of the symptoms that follow instances of domestic violence according to American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry are: anxiety & fear, depression, sleep problems including nightmares and bedwetting, aggression, anger, changes in appetite. These symptoms then escalate in adolescents with drug abuse, skipping school, declining grades, and social withdrawal.

Children of domestic violence tell themselves lies as a result of what they experience. Childhood Domestic Violence Association (CDV) includes a list of the lies children begin to believe with truths they should believe. For instance, the child feels ”worthless” because they feel unimportant, not good enough, a failure. The truth being “accomplished” because they realize what they had to overcome and few other obstacles compare. Another example, “unloved” where the child feels unloved and incapable of giving love. The truth being “loved” because making others feel cared for, appreciated, and important makes them feel the same. For a complete list of these lies with corresponding truths click here.

Hope Rising SEL is an advocate for children. Our program not only provides tools which address some of these above-mentioned behaviors, but also provides a platform that gives children a safe space to share. Children are our future. When a child is misbehaving, most likely the child is not “bad”, but the truth is they may be “crying out” to get help.

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February 15, 2021
STOMP Out Bullying
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STOMP Out Bullying

Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines bullying as this: abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger, more powerful; the behavior of a bully. Bullies come in many different categories such as physical, verbal, sexual, and prejudicial. In each of these, the bully has a different style and various tactics of intimidation and control. Some are outright mean; however, some are sly and cunning—harder to detect until after they have done much damage.

With the increase in social media, the internet and technology, a more prevalent form of bullying today is known as cyberbullying. This type is when a tween or teen uses the Internet, a Smartphone, or other technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person. The cyberbully cowardly uses the screen to say things they don’t have courage to say face-to-face. They know that they can anonymously attack their targets with smaller chances of getting caught.

Parents, please take steps in stopping a child if they are the perpetrator (the bully or cyberbully). Also, watch for signs that your child is the target of such bullying.

Here are a few signs that your child may be a bully:
- Positive views towards violence
- Often aggressive towards parents, teachers and other adults
- A need to control and dominate others and situations
- Hot tempered, impulsive and easily frustrates
- Often tests limits and breaks rules
- Shows little sympathy towards others who are bullied
Here are a few signs that your child is being bullied:
- Child comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books or belongings
- Has unexplained cuts, bruises and scratches
- as few, if any friends with whom he or she spends time
- Seems afraid of going to school or taking part in organized activities with peers
- Has lost interest in school work or suddenly begins to do poorly in school
- Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she comes home
- Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams
- Experiences a loss of appetite
- Appears anxious and suffers from low self-esteem
If you suspect your child is either the perpetrator or the victim, talk to them to find out more. If necessary, get help from school counselors or professionals who have experience working with kids regarding bullying.

The following website contains more great information regarding this subject.

https://www.stompoutbullying.org/world-day-bullying-prevention

The effects of bullying are heartbreaking and in severe cases, they are deadly. Let’s be aware and proactive to STOMP out bullying. We can be a part of the solution!

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February 1, 2021