Strengthening Our Commitment to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Second Step activities will complement our School-Age Program's curriculum. To build community in the classroom, the School-Age Program starts the academic year with the "All About Me" theme.

Helping children understand their emotions can contribute to academic and life success. Given the upheaval from the pandemic, supporting students' social-emotional development today takes on even greater significance. Working with the Committee for Children, the developer of the Second Step social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, Children's Village is launching a new out-of-school Second Step component and contributing to research to assess its efficacy.

Children's Village is implementing the curriculum from September to June for K-5th graders in our School-Age Program, teaching real-life skills via units on Community Building; Growth Mindset and Goal Setting; Emotion Management; and Empathy and Kindness. Creative play and games are embedded into the approach. The initiative includes training and resources for teachers. Students (grades 3-5) and teachers will participate in evaluation surveys and focus groups. We will also conduct pre- and post-assessments to measure impact and inform program refinement.

"Our teachers are dedicated to building meaningful, trusting relationships with students, which is the foundation for all learning. We are thrilled and honored to work with the Committee for Children and especially grateful for their investment in our teachers through training and support," says Mary Graham, Executive Director.

Several years ago, Children's Village implemented Second Step to formalize social-emotional education in our Preschool Program. "Our aim now is to enhance our approach for older children. This is an opportunity to nurture the social-emotional growth of school-age children with more focus and, ultimately, effectiveness, helping us better safeguard the health and well-being of children entrusted to our care," says Ms. Graham.