Through SEL@CHIREC, our competency-based framework, we help students develop emotional intelligence, and social skills, and foster overall well-being
According to CASEL, “SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”
At CHIREC, we help children understand that our emotions and thoughts are constantly influencing each other and how managing them is essential for their overall development and success. This understanding is even embedded in our approach to Social and Emotional Learning through our competency-based framework, SEL@CHIREC.
Why SEL matters? The fundamentals of SEL
Research on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in educators and students highlights its vital impact on academic success, positive school climate, student well-being, and educator efficacy.
SEL fosters self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. It is foundational to academic success and personal growth. A socially and emotionally enriched curriculum prepares students not only for academic success but also for personal and professional enrichment in their future lives.
SEL-embedded classrooms are evidenced to be safer, more engaging and equitable, have better student-teacher relationships, fewer behavioural issues, fewer instances of bullying and enhanced learning outcomes.
eachers are equipped with effective classroom management strategies that integrate SEL into the curriculum seamlessly. Children develop various skills through social-emotional learning activities that we conduct at CHIREC. These skills include:
1. Self-awareness: SEL helps children recognise their emotions and how those feelings affect their behaviour. For example, through reflection activities and discussions, students learn to identify and articulate their emotions.
2. Self-Management: This helps kids learn how to control their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in different situations. This includes managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating themselves.
3. Social Awareness: This skill encourages children to see things from other’s perspectives and empathise with them. This involves recognising and appreciating individual and group similarities and differences.
4. Relationship Skills: This gives kids the tools they need to establish and maintain healthy relationships with their friends and family. This includes clear communication, active listening, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
5. Responsible Decision-Making: This teaches children how to make ethical and constructive choices for themselves and others. This involves thinking about how their choices will affect those around them, recognising the consequences of various actions, and making decisions that contribute to the community.
Inside Out 2: A Framework for Understanding Emotions
The movie ‘Inside Out’ provides a vivid description of how emotions like joy, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust play a role in an individual’s life. The sequel, ‘Inside Out 2’ released recently, introduced additional emotions like anxiety, embarrassment, and envy, further helping us all understand the emotional landscape that all of us, including children navigate.
At CHIREC, we use the pedagogical framework to build emotional literacy and help children understand and manage their emotions. Classroom activities are intentionally designed to teach students how to listen with attention, express with empathy, assess thoughts and respond mindfully, reflect with logic and reason, and navigate with calmness and clarity. These are important skills that teachers help our students to develop through effective classroom management strategies.
CHIREC’S SEL Curriculum
While ‘Inside Out 2’ popularised the concept of understanding emotions, CHIREC proactively initiated an SEL curriculum that was embedded into its educational framework.
Our approach to Social Emotional Learning is:
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- Progressive
- Competency-based
- Contextualised to real-life
The same is embedded in our daily routines, classroom management strategies, and school culture. We believe that developing these skills is crucial towards creating a positive learning environment and enhancing knowledge, skills and attitude for lifelong success.
The SEL Competency Framework at CHIREC
We have integrated social-emotional learning activities into our curriculum through a framework designed to nurture essential life skills. Each competency plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s emotional intelligence and social development:
Listen with Attention: We teach children the importance of active listening and how to focus their attention on others’ words and emotions. By fostering attentive listening skills, we help students to build deeper connections and understanding through every interaction.
Express with Empathy: Through social-emotional learning, children learn to express themselves while considering others’ perspectives and emotions. This competency helps build empathy, fostering compassionate communication, and thus a caring community within our school.
Assess Thoughts and Respond Mindfully: SEL encourages children to pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully to situations. At CHIREC, we teach children how to mindfully assess thoughts and emotions, thus empowering students to make informed decisions and manage potential conflicts constructively.
Reflect with Logic and Reason: Critical thinking is integral to SEL at CHIREC. We guide students in examining their emotions and experiences logically, developing self-awareness and critical thinking skills.
Navigate with Calmness and Clarity: SEL equips children with strategies to stay calm and focused when faced with difficulties, building resilience and promoting confident decision-making. We prepare our students to handle adversity with confidence and composure.
These form the foundation of our SEL programme, ensuring that CHIREC students develop into emotionally intelligent individuals, prepared to thrive in any social or academic setting.
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a crucial part of a child’s development. At CHIREC International School, we have been at the forefront of implementing SEL, recognising its significance long before it became mainstream. Our comprehensive approach to SEL helps children develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
As parents, understanding and supporting SEL at home can further enhance your child’s emotional and social growth. By working together with CHIREC, you can ensure that your child receives a well-rounded education that prepares them for a successful and fulfilling future.
