Second Step Social Emotional Learning

For my item of interest, I chose the Early Learning Second Step Program.  It is a learning program rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) aimed at creating a more empathetic society using a holistic approach with teachers, educators, and community members.  This program focuses on children developing and utilizing positive relationships, make smart decisions, gain confidence, be responsible and collaborate with others.  This program can begin in pre-K by teaching listening skills and behavior management and continues on to eighth grade to teach conflict resolution and values.  Concepts are learned by lessons, games, songs, and pictures.  The lessons are taught in four different sections covering: skills for learning, empathy and emotion management, problems solving, and friendship skills.  It is used in over 70 countries, reaching about 14 million students each year.  It is based off of years of research and experience.

This program is based on the evidence that has shown social-emotional learning is imperative to be successful academically, socially, and professionally.  The program has been researched and has been found to be based on best practice. This program provides evidence based education to students.  At my internship, this program has been used by teachers and social workers.  Not all lessons and parts are used fully by teachers; staff utilizes the parts that they feel their class needs at the time.  Social workers tend to use all the parts of the program, tailoring it to different age groups and group needs.   

Below is the link to take you to their site!

http://www.secondstep.org/what-is-second-step