Social Emotional Learning
A Framework for Belonging: Melisa Sandoval on Implementing Emergenetics in Education
I recently spoke with Melisa Sandoval, Director of Wellness at a Colorado-based school district, about her work implementing Emergenetics system-wide to advance well-being across her organization. Get inspiration from her best practices and recent findings in her dissertation! JD: Melisa, tell me what inspired you and your district to begin using Emergenetics? MS: I first…
Read MoreUse Emergenetics Grouping Strategies to Maximize Learning for Students
Being able to collaborate effectively is so important to students’ success in the classroom and life. Working with different people can unlock new ways to problem solve, inspire fresh ideas and encourage perspective-taking. Educators have also likely seen what happens when kids struggle with a group assignment. If teams are not mindfully managed, discomfort and…
Read MoreHelp Kids Learn About Perspective-Taking
Teaching young people life skills is one of the best things adults can do to prepare them to be successful. These capabilities enable kids to find their way while they’re young and in the future. The core life skills that everyone can begin to build capacity for in their youth are split into three categories: …
Read MoreInspire Tenacity and Self-Esteem with Daily Affirmations
If you realized just how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought. – Anonymous There is so much truth behind the importance of having an optimistic outlook. Beyond quotes like the one above, there’s a significant amount of research into the impact of positive psychology on achievement, persistence and physical health.…
Read MoreThe Power of Social Awareness
When was the last time you paused to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? I encourage you to think back to that moment. What did you take away from the experience? Maybe you were able to have a greater sense of appreciation for that person? Their situation? Or, the surrounding circumstances? It might have made…
Read MoreEmpower Kids with Life and Learning Skills
Most adults who are working with kids would agree that one of their primary goals is to help youth develop the capacities and tools they need to be successful and happy as they grow. There are threads of this sentiment in most mission statements of schools and districts, youth organizations and enrichment centers as well…
Read MoreWhat Skills Do Kids Need to Succeed in the Future?
What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s one of the most common questions that kids will be asked throughout their young lives, and it’s fascinating to hear their evolving answers. A recent poll revealed that the number one response in the United States and United Kingdom was to be a vlogger…
Read More7 Ways to Amplify Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom
I had a chance to do a semantic noise activity with some of our Associates recently. I love these exercises because they are an easy and eye-opening way to explore differences in the perspectives of the Emergenetics® Attributes. All you do is pick a word, phrase or topic. Then, group participants according to one of…
Read MoreThe Impact of Social Neuroscience in Schools Part III: Boosting Trust
It’s no secret that when students have positive, authentic relationships with educators, it contributes to their wellbeing and academic success as well as the culture of the school. Yet, year after year, we see new articles and blogs (like this one) highlighting just how important it is to invest time in building trust. While it…
Read MoreThe Surprisingly Simple Art of the Activity Debrief
Did you know that any exercise can become an Emergenetics®-centric activity? I would guess some readers out there may be thinking: Of course it can…once it’s been vetted through the template and adjusted to speak to each of the seven Attributes. That is true. By working through the Emergenetics metaphor, educators can make changes to…
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