Angell SEL
Your one-stop shop for social-emotional learning
Welcome Back and Happy October!
Welcome to our first installation of Angell SEL for the 2026-2027 school year. We’d like to start by saying welcome and welcome back to all of our Angell families! The start of a new school year is filled with many emotions, from excitement and anticipation about what is to come, to anxiety and frustration about all we must do. We hope the Angell SEL newsletter will provide fun and engaging methods for supporting our students as they grow. Let's continue to work together and strengthen our bond as an Angell family!
Optimistic October - Building a Positive School Community
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is our ability to manage our emotions to control behavior, complete tasks, or achieve goals.
What does it look like when emotional control is strong?
Children can compromise, act as “peacemakers,” and accept wins and losses relatively calmly.
What does it look like when emotional control is weaker?
Children may have difficulty sharing with peers, experience elevated emotional responses when losing games/sports, or struggle with not getting their way while playing with friends.
Emotional Regulation: Goals and Expectations
Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten students can...
recover fairly quickly from disappointment or change of plans/schedule.
use non-physical solutions when another child takes a toy he/she was using.
play in a group without becoming overly excited/stimulated.
Lower Elementary students can...
tolerate criticism/redirection from an adult.
deal with perceived “unfairness” without becoming overly upset.
adjust behavior quickly depending on the situation.
Upper Elementary students...
can accept not getting what he/she wants during group activities.
act with restraint in response to teasing.
do not overreact to losing a game or not being selected.
Emotional Validation
We do not have to agree with another's emotional responses to hear and accept them.
We notice, acknowledge, and witness their emotions without changing, suppressing, judging, or attempting to control them.
Try it at Home: Emotional Regulation Strategies
Feelings Thermometer
Feelings thermometers support emotional regulation in children by allowing them to identify, understand, and communicate their feelings. Just like a thermometer measures temperature, our feelings thermometer helps children recognize when their emotions are calm, rising, or becoming overwhelming. This tool encourages our students to check-in with their feelings and prompts them to seek support when becoming elevated. Feelings thermometers are great tools for developing emotional awareness, practicing self-regulation, and inspiring confidence when managing big emotions!
Timed Breaks
If you notice your child is getting frustrated or fatigued with a task or activity, support their emotional regulation by setting up a timed break! These breaks can be spent many different ways; some quick ideas include having a snack, playing with a toy/fidget, listening to music, or taking a movement break. Timed breaks are a great way to directly improve our kiddos' moods while also supporting their overall well-being, emotional capacity, and work output!
Until Next Time!
Your SEL team,
Kezzie Chudler - School Counselor
kezziah.chudler@berkleyschools.org
Katie Greager - School Psychologist
katherine.greager@berkleyschools.org
Mikayla Meagher - School Psychologist Intern
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