What role can parents play in getting social and emotional learning programs into schools?
Parents play an important role in the social and emotional development of their children. Modeling positive behavior at home is the first step. Schools are the second. As a parent or caregiver, there are several steps you can take to make sure that your child’s school supports social and emotional learning. First, ask if your child’s school supports social and emotional learning. Ask the school principal how he or she fosters the qualities of both heart and mind in the school’s academic agenda. See if you can get permission to observe a class where social and emotional instruction and activities are taking place. If you determine that your school does not currently support social and emotional learning, ask if the administrators would consider investigating program options. Help them gather information on what other schools are doing to integrate academic achievement with social and emotional skill building more effectively. The most important thing is to stay informed and involved wit
