Social-Emotional Learning & Self-Regulation
Please click the buttons below to learn more about the specifics of SEL and Self-Regulation.
How does it all Connect?
Throughout my research with this project I found many connections between SEL, Self-Regulation and Mindfulness practices. I think one of the greatest connections I found was that when we talk about self-regulation many people think of “flipping your lid.”
"Flipping your lid" is a term coined by Dan Siegel who talks about the hand model of the brain- when our downstairs brain (the feeling brain- or the Amygdala) is too loud, the upstairs brain (the thinking brain or Pre-frontal cortex) cannot stay put, so our feeling brain takes over! This is what happens when we are dysregulated- our lid (PFC) flips, and lets the feeling brain take over. When we flip our lid we need strong self-regulation skills to come back from the dysregulation, but we must also possess SEL skills which help us to identify our own emotions and feelings. |
If we connect this back to the brain-based research of mindfulness, we know that neuroscience tells us that we have the ability to change our brains- with repeated practice we are able to strengthen different areas of our brain! By practicing mindfulness- being present in the moment and paying attention on purpose- we strengthen our Pre-Frontal Cortex which allows for it to stay put longer when the feeling brain is getting loud!
For me, this was the clear connection to self-regulation; but SEL is also tied to this- by practicing mindfulness and getting to know our own amygdala (or feeling brain) we are better able to identify our own emotions (self-awareness) and build empathy towards others when they are also feeling those things (social awareness).
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Mindfulness trains our brain to be present and notice the things happening inside of our bodies, as well as outside of our bodies and respond to those things in a calm and helpful manner.
For me, this was the clear connection to self-regulation; but SEL is also tied to this- by practicing mindfulness and getting to know our own amygdala (or feeling brain) we are better able to identify our own emotions (self-awareness) and build empathy towards others when they are also feeling those things (social awareness).
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Mindfulness trains our brain to be present and notice the things happening inside of our bodies, as well as outside of our bodies and respond to those things in a calm and helpful manner.
Below, I have included a TED Talk from Dr. Daniel Seigel. This video highlights various points about the ways in which SEL, Regulation and Mindful practice all connect in various ways. Dr. Siegel talks about the 3Rs- Relationship, Reflection and Resilience; these are all interconnected with the basis of a healthy brain which develops SEL and regulation skills. Mindfulness, Self-Regulation and SEL all help you to build a strong relationship with your inner self, and Siegel says that when you have a strong empathetic relationship with your own emotions you are better able to connect with others around you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Siegel argues that positive relationships are the basis for all growth and development; when we use our mind to build and sustain positive relationships with ourselves and the outer world we are using the mind to change our brains in a positive way! |
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During my practicum, I had the opportunity to take MindUp Training through Stepping Stones for Mental Health and Rocky View School Division during one of our PL days. During this course I was able to see how mindfulness and SEL are clearly intertwined in this curriculum, but during our final session, the facilitators shared this graphic with us that highlights all of the connections between the MindUp curriculum and the SEL competencies. Please see the infographic below, and click here to be taken to the MindUp Website for more info.