
Please find below our daily SolBe Family update letter containing helpful resources and exciting projects to explore while we all do our part to stay home during this pandemic. Subscribe here to receive updates.
June 8, 2020 SolBe Families, As I said in our post on June 4, “We have always held the belief that raising accepting, aligned, wholesome citizens of the world requires the implementation of the core values of Social Emotional Learning.” Today, our spotlight is on kindness. Now, more than ever, let us approach one another with kindness. Let us find space to hold others and ourselves with warmth and tenderness. Take moments to breathe and to listen.
First thing is first: What is Social-Emotional Learning? The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning’s definition felt comprehensive and clear: “SEL is how children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”
How do we introduce kindness in Social-Emotional Learning? Kindness, like many aspects within SEL, is often most effectively shared and taught through modeling. How can we show up as kind adults eager to approach others from a place of empathy so that our children can too? Can you find opportunities to point out acts of kindness or moments of warmth to your little ones? Are there moments in a book, show or class where you could take an extra few seconds to talk to your little one about how being kind can affect others and ourselves positively?
- Books to Pair with Project: Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
- I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
Helpful Resources:
- 8 Reasons for Teaching Kindness in Schools on teachthought.com
- 9 Tips for Teaching Kindness in the Classroom from PBS
- Wee The People is a resource one of our families recommended in the Boston Area that is wonderful.
Kindness Project: Spreading Kindness Rocks in our Community
Materials:
- Paint or Markers
- Time
Step One Rock Collection! Out and about once again. Any excuse for a long stroll or an exploration out in the woods. Fresh air is also a major player in having time to reflect and share some of these values.
Step Two Paint your stones! We did this in two rounds. We painted the rocks with fun and vibrant colors. Then we chatted about what messages someone might like to see if they are walking through the neighborhood.
Step Three Spread the love! Take a final walk through your neighborhood and drop the rocks in random places along the path. Ask your little one, “Do you think someone walking by would be happy if they saw this message?” “Is this a loving message or a nice message?”
More resources to follow in the coming days. Feedback and more ideas welcome! Above all, be well and stay healthy!
The SolBe Team
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