| By: Committee for Children Book Review: Waffles and Pancakes by Cindy Springsteen. Illustrated by Jim Brenneman Reading Level: Kindergarten–Grade 2 Waffles and Pancakes are not acting like themselves. The two hamster friends have been feeling down ever since they encountered a guinea pig who teased them about their nocturnal, cage-dwelling lifestyle. Once the boys who own them start piecing together what might have happened, they take the…Read More
| By: Committee for Children Social-Emotional Learning and Academics A research-based article covering social-emotional competence and academic achievement, teacher support, and school connectedness Read More
| By: Committee for Children Emotions Run High! Allow Time! This is no understatement for the beginning of the year. We know that emotions for students, parents, and teachers are all over the place. It is important we as adults understand our own emotions and the emotions of others. The beginning of the school year is an opportunity for us teachers and our students to gain great emotional and social learning if we allow time.Read More
| By: Tonje Molyneux Create a Safe and Supportive School with SEL By Tonje Molyneux It’s that time of year again. Kids are heading back to school after a summer off. It’s time to buckle down and get back to the business of learning, but are they ready? What kind of learning environment do students need to be ready to learn? Safety and support are important for learning… In answer to that question, research points to a safe and…Read More
| By: Committee for Children Teaching Touching Safety Rules An article for parents outlining three things to teach children before teaching them touching safety rules Read More
| By: Committee for Children SEL Success Through Effective Implementation Research has consistently shown that well-designed and well-implemented social-emotional learning (SEL) programs are associated with positive academic, behavioral, and emotional outcomes for youth. So what does “good implementation” look like?Read More
| By: Committee for Children We Are the Champions: Parent Support of SEL Programs As a parent of elementary-aged children, I’m always finding myself ruminating over issues that, pre-kids, I never knew existed. For example: the importance of whether and how our school rolls out new and sensitive programs about such hot topics as drugs and alcohol, puberty, or bullying prevention. Read More
| By: Kim Gulbrandson Set Yourself Up for Implementation Success By Kim Gulbrandson When essential elements of effective implementation are in place, the results can be powerful. Social-emotional learning (SEL) can thrive in environments where stakeholders are committed to sharing responsibility for supporting implementation and where there is shared vision and leadership around social-emotional and academic success for all students. But successful and sustained implementation of any curriculum can be challenging at times…Read More
| By: Committee for Children Welcome! By Rachael Ellison-Taylor, New Mission Ventures Project Manager | August 29, 2014 When I was asked to come aboard as the New Mission Ventures Project Manager this past June, I was thrilled. I have worked on a variety of Second Step projects over the past five years, and I can say without hesitation that my work with Committee for Children is the most important and rewarding work I’ve ever done. New Mission Ventures has an exciting opportunity to expand Committee for Children’s mission to new heights. We are creating collaborative new projects with some of the most progressive and respected organizations and individuals in the country. Every day we are putting our minds and hearts into finding new ways to support children. Gratifying, indeed. We’re launching this website and blog to keep all of our audiences—and particularly current and future collaborators—abreast of the work we’re doing. With five projects already in varying phases of development, there is a lot going on, and more to come in future. Check this blog frequently to get the latest news. Exciting times are ahead! Next month, look for a blog post from New Mission Ventures Director Mia Doces on her experience at the upcoming Social Capital Markets (SOCAP) conference. Read More
| By: Committee for Children United Against Violence Launching Second Step Program in Schools http://www.bcchp.org/united-against-violence-launching-second-step-program-in-schools/Read More