Children’s literature as a framework for SEL

Children’s literature has a big impact on the development and shaping of children’s personality. Quality children’s books display ideas, ethical dilemmas, moral values, problem solving techniques, emotional management and relationships among the protagonists, all of which contribute to the moral, social and emotional development of young children.

 

SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as “the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions”. CASEL’s Widely Used Framework Identifies Five Core Competencies: Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making.

 

This course has been created for educators who want to learn more about SEL and who are interested in implementing SEL lessons through the use of children’s literature in their classes. Through a highly interactive and hands-on learning methodology, selected quality and award winning children’s books will be used as the main framework for real implementation scenarios and lesson plans, focusing on the Five Core Competencies: Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. During the week teachers will have allocated time to create a SEL implementation plan for their classes using selected children’s books themed with sensitive social issues, providing strong coping and resilient models for young students.