Jefferson County Preventionist: What Works in Prevention?

As I explained in a previous article the science of prevention has grown through research and study over the past 50 years. It naturally follows that the approaches, materials and programs have also changed.

In this article I will explain more about social-emotional learning, known as SEL, as part of that change process. Schools presently use evidenced-based programs which provide a good foundation for SEL development.

Social, emotional, and behavioral learning focuses on developing skills to promote physical and mental health. These programs focus on five key areas:

• Self-management, or students’ ability to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations in a way that helps achieve their goals.

• Responsible decision-making, or students’ ability to make caring and positive choices about their behavior and social interactions across different situations.

• Relationship skills, or students’ ability to build and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and positively interact with diverse people and groups.

• Social awareness, or students’ ability to understand the views of and empathize with others.

• Self-awareness, or students’ ability to understand their own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they affect their behavior.

Research shows that school leaders strongly support programs that improve students’ social skills and emotional development because these programs improve students’ mental health and help build positive school climates.

Programs that improve students’ social skills and emotional development also improve academic performance and are a proven prevention strategy widely used in schools.

Jefferson County is very fortunate to have all the elementary schools in the county participating in SEL programs: PAX: Good Behavior Game and Second Step.

What is Social-Emotional Development? Professionals sometimes define healthy social-emotional development in young children as early childhood mental health. Healthy social-emotional development includes the ability to:

• Form and sustain positive relationships

• Experience, manage, and express emotions

• Explore and engage with the environment

Children with well-developed social-emotional skills are also more able to:

• Express their ideas and feelings

• Display empathy towards others

• Manage their feelings of frustration and disappointment more easily

• Feel self-confident

• More easily make and develop friendships

• Succeed in school

Social-emotional development provides the foundation for how we feel about ourselves and how we experience others. This foundation begins the day we are born and continues to develop throughout our lifespan. Yes, Social-Emotional development is a life-long adventure. All each of us needs to do is participate!

The greatest influence on a child’s social-emotional development is the quality of the relationships that a child develops with primary caregivers.

Positive and nurturing early experiences and relationships have a significant impact on a child’s social-emotional development. They also influence how the young child’s brain develops.

Here are some references for anyone who wishes to delve into this topic further:

• James Hymes’ Understanding Your Child by Kadija Johnston, LCSWLerner, C. & Dombro, A.L. (2000).

• Learning & Growing Together: Understanding Your Child’s Development. Washington, D.C.: ZERO TO THREE Nelson, J., Erwin, C. & Duffy, R. (2007).

• Positive Discipline: The First Three Years. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press

• Parentingmt.org is also a great resource for parents of children 0-19.