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Dear Dr. Cherrye,
If we hope to tap into negative aggressive behaviors, addressing social emotional learning is a topic that we must discuss. We need to discover where these negative, aggressive behaviors derive. What is the root of the problem? There must be behavioral antecedents we can evaluate.
~ There must be behavioral antecedents ~
Dear There must be behavioral antecedents,
We must take the time to research behaviors. It is worth our time. With up-to-date news informing us of the Bullycide plague that our children are facing and practicing, we cannot afford to ignore inappropriate behaviors. Addressing social emotional learning is a great start. We must address negative behaviors aggressively and without wavering.
It would behoove our legislators, educators, and parents to begin thinking collaboratively about how we can rethink what all of us can do, much sooner than not, when our children misbehave and while they are yet still young. You have heard me say the latter before.
We can become initiative-taking in our attempt to end these dreadful bullying acts. We must think these issues through carefully. Parents can begin thinking about and implementing changes from the womb, the years between home and prekindergarten, and then Kindergarten (the formative years). Parents must obtain a handle on bullying behaviors. For example, when at-home moms are on playdates with other families, children should learn to share toys and playground equipment. Parents should pull their children aside and have a private talk with them right on the spot, or the use of time-out can for the unruly child should begin. Parents should not discuss or confuse negative behaviors of any sort with horse play or the attitude that their children are still babies.
Parents are the first role models for their children. At home is where the child should begin learning manners, proper etiquette, guidelines, and societal rules. Home is where children must first learn how to interact appropriately with family.
Coupled with this idea, and when our children begin school (pre-k or kinder), teachers must carry the torch further and acquire ample training via workshops, and professional development on skills that will help them teach and infuse within our children care, consideration, genuine concern and plain empathy and remorse for others down deep within our children. Children must feel compassion for one another. But, before we can begin taking this broad, bold, and needed step, we must have teachers who are on board and efficacious to the call of duty. Play games with children and involve them in as much discussion as you possibly can.
Since addressing Social Emotional Learning has been a topic tossed around as one way to reform and address behavioral concerns in our school, so it is worthy of our legislator’s attention. Remember, however, a child’s inherent emotions stem from their lives at home, experiences, and interactions with family. We will have to consider the fact that children have been at home from birth to about five years old and the home influences are already embedded. Teachers must take out time in their day to address social skills. In my professional opinion, social skills lessons should be a part of state-wide curricular in all school districts. Because our nation’s schools are growing more multicultural each day, we must communicate lessons of tolerance for others. Children must receive training of how to embrace differences as well as similarities of one another.
Teachers must stop talking down, using sarcasm, and bullying children. Teachers should monitor their speech and interactions/behaviors. Perform a self-check placing themselves on their own classroom behavioral and conduct charts. Allow children to make assessments. Our children notice and pattern their behaviors from what they observe from not only parents, but teachers as well. Parents and teachers serve as strong role-models for children.
Dr. Cherrye will take the time now to define all three words that encompass the phrase Social Emotional Learning
Social
Human interaction and pleasant companionship of individuals and groups who form cooperative relationships with one another
Emotional
A conscious mental reaction to behavioral changes; a state of being
Learning
Act of experience to, or exposure of a conditioning of knowledge of skills acquired by instruction
Other Experts in the Field
Also see what Panorama Education has to say about Social Emotional Learning
Something to Consider
Think for just a moment of the definition of learning. If teachers can condition children while showering them with knowledge and skills, teachers have power in their hands. I know that you agree with me. Teachers can inculcate and promote care and understanding of peers within the souls of children.
Our theorists and researchers in the field of Social Emotional Learning mostly agree that we must think about what motivates students wanting to learn and treat others with care and respect. If we know how emotions drive attention, learning, memory, and decision making, we will soon learn how integrating social emotional learning in our homes all the way to the doorsteps of our schools will enhance a child’s behavior and attitude for the better.
As an educator and parent, I believe that we must start somewhere. We must involve the whole community from school district stakeholders, community leaders, district administrators, teachers, and parents working together warding off inappropriate behaviors that could potentially lead to unpleasant bullying behaviors.
OPEN FOR COMMENTS I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
IMPORTANT
I have made it my mission to assist parents and educators in resolving the bullying issues children suffer. Offering your feedback and suggestions in the comment section could facilitate meaningful dialogue on this critical issue among ourselves and I encourage this. I will respond to each comment in a timely way. Should you wish to speak privately with me, please email me at cherryeVasquez@gmail.com and I will reply promptly.
Please take advantage of my 3 Free resources by downloading them today. One of them includes my FREE Bullying Checklist. If you feel that your child has been bullied, please use the checklist to determine if your ‘gut feelings’ are accurate.
