The importance of social-emotional learning and providing mental health and well-being support to students is becoming more needed and apparent with each month.

Schools that had social-emotional learning (commonly known as SEL) in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic last spring were a welcome layer of support to help students, caregivers, families and teams undergo the educational shift that took in-person, classroom-based learning online.

But teachers and educators quickly found that their roles were becoming even more multi-faceted than before – to include: technology experts, guidance counselors, advisors, coaches, cheerleaders, community resource coordinators, and therapists.

Sadly, it took a national pandemic and lockdown, and the ensuing winter months in the Midwest to re-emphasize the necessity and priority that social-emotional learning has within schools. The positive impact that SEL curriculum and skill development has on student learning and relationship-building will become paramount in helping students and children re-adjust when schools transition back to face-to-face learning and are welcomed back into their classrooms.

To help children with getting back to another “new” normal when it comes to education and learning, here are a few steps that adults can take to help support students and children transition back (again) into the classroom:

1. Connect with teachers, staff and providers prior to starting back to school.

2. Create a back-to-school plan or visual calendar with your child.

3. Create a special good-bye ritual before leaving home.

4. Validate all feelings to help children understand, manage, and work through them positively.

‍