Using Music to Support SEL

Music is a powerful and sometimes overlooked tool for creating positive environments for young people. There is plenty of research showing that music can help develop language processing skills in young children, calm dysregulated minds, and create a positive atmosphere. Musical notes can be words in a language when plain old English just won’t cut it.

How Can You Show Your Support for Your Mental Health Support Staff?

Everything You Need to Know, You Learned In...

By Christine MerleEarly Childhood Strategies that Work with Every Age GroupAs an educator who has the opportunity to visit classrooms across a wide variety of ages, I am amazed at how many of early childhood strategies translate easily to settings with older children.  Think about the following social and emotional skills and ask yourself if you can see their value – even when working with other adults! 

What Is the Pyramid Model?

On Gratitude: A Note from our SEL Center Director

Gratitude.  It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot this time of year.  But what does it really mean when all the messages we receive are about getting and buying rather than making and giving?

Free Tool for Educators: Last Year's Experience Forms This Year's Plan

Welcome to October!!  By now, the smell has faded from your new school year calendar, you have already lost, lent, or given away many of your writing utensils, and the day-to-day challenges have begun to set in.  At the same time, your routines are established, your students know what to do, and you are likely through your review period and into teaching new material.

NYS Passes Mental Health Curriculum Requirements: Where Does SEL Fit In?

New York State's new mental health literacy curriculum is now in effect for the 2018-19 school year. As it has rolled out, there has been some confusion about whether social and emotional learning programs, curricula, strategies, and practices are enough to satisfy this new law.

NYS Releases SEL Benchmarks!

At the SEL Center, we are often asked what social and emotional skills look like at different ages and stages. What should a Kindergartener be able to do? How much can a 5th grader actually handle? Is this appropriate behavior for a high school senior 

Summer Brights and Summer Blues: Supporting Kids in Transition

Community Profile: Danette Campbell-Bell and Strings for Life

Danette Campbell-Bell is a highly skilled Youth Development Practitioner, Consultant, Trainer, Instructor, Coach, Mentor and Conference Speaker with over twenty years of experience in developing, implementing and managing creative, quality youth programs with a track record of high performance outcomes.  Danette is a champion, advocate and voice for children and youth. She is the Seed Planter!