Social emotional learning doesn’t stop because it is summertime. In fact, it’s easy to argue that the summer is a great time to strengthen many of these skills, when there is less pressure for academic work. Social emotional learning encompasses a large subset of skills and competencies including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, and decision-making. With so many skills to work on, there are many opportunities to work on them any time of the year, even in the summer.
Integrate SEL in every day activities. So many every day activities use social-emotional skills; that’s because SEL skills are life skills for success! Be intentional by talking about the SEL skills as you use them. For example, cooking a meal together requires lots of self-management skills, including planning and time management. Taking a walk or gardening can be a healthy way to practice coping skills. The limits are endless!
Play board games. There are so many different games that lend themselves to learning social emotional skills. Pictionary is great to work on teamwork while chess works on planning.
Use art activities. Art lends itself so well to teaching social emotional skills. Create a self-collage to work on self-awareness. Draw different faces to match emotions. Come up with colors for different feelings. There are so many options!
Use read alouds. Literature is one of the most simple and effortless ways to integrate social emotional skills. Just read a short story and discuss the SEL skills that best apply. One of my favorites is “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” This short story can focus on how we cope when things don’t go our way, being flexible, and starting fresh every day. The options are really endless and most kids really do love a good read aloud. If you need more ideas for SEL read alouds, I have a whole list of books to support social emotional learning.
