Social-Emotional Learning Resources and Practices for Families and Educators Supporting Students

This resource was created for families to support Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at home. It contains several resources that focus on specific social-emotional skills that are designed for adults to use at home with children of all ages.

There are also resources and storybooks specific to COVID to help parents/caregivers build SEL during social distancing and distance learning. It can be used to enhance distance learning from a child’s teacher at home with parents/caregivers.

Please note that one of the best ways to build resiliency skills in children and youth is by role modelling, so be sure to take the time as needed to enhance your own coping skills during these challenging times.

John Howard Society of Waterloo Wellington

Check Your Choices, is a series of short animated videos that will encourage students to continue to prioritize their social competency skills. There are three streams of videos available (ages 5-7 years, 8-10 years, and 10-12 years) that follow the content presented in our in-school programming.

This also includes an orientation video for parents and caregivers for additional information. A Facebook page is also available to post additional support and to provide an avenue of communication for families, teachers, students and community stakeholders.

The John Howard Society also has a dedicated email address for communications concerning the initiative for families and teachers. CheckYourChoices@waterloo.JohnHoward.on.ca

Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

CASEL Cares: COVID Resources are for educators and families. Contains some USA-based information.

Umbrella Project

The Umbrella Project contains Parent Resources on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Sign up with your email address to access the parenting handbook, parent information on SEL skills and what it looks like at home, and how to teach it. The Umbrella Project is increasing its resources for parents and educators to assist navigation of distance learning.

HERO Generation

HERO Generation: COVID19 Teacher and Parent Resources are poster resources, in multiple languages, available to families and teachers free-of-charge right now. Download and use them as you choose.

Dr. Stuart Shanker | The Mehrit Centre

Dr. Stuart Shanker is a world-renowned Canadian psychologist working to support understanding self-regulation by providing tools for support educators, parents and students. These tools and help develop an understanding of self-regulation and its importance for everyone.

Ten Positive Behavior Support Strategies

Ten Positive Behavior Support Strategies to Support Families at Home | Association for Positive Behaviour Support has been adapted for challenges during the COVID-19 isolation.

Resources from Carizon

Carizon is a source of hope for our community. When children, youth, adults, couples or families face life’s challenges, Carizon programs and services provide the care and compassion to help them achieve wellness.

School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO)

Everyday Mental Health Classroom Practices has lots of ideas on SEL skill-building in classrooms by educators that could be used in the home with families or through distance learning with teachers and students.

Social Thinking

Information videos on SEL skills via the Social Thinking website, including free webinars. Suitable for teachers who have students with unique needs but valuable tips and ideas for parents helping kids learn at home too.

The Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. They have a number of free resources that are evidence-based specific for families.

COVID Storybooks for kids

  1. What is the Coronavirus?
    • Storybook for kids about coronavirus
  2. My Hero is You storybook available in many other languages about COVID-19.
  3. First Aid for Feelings: A Workbook to Help Kids Cope During the Coronavirus Pandemic
    • This is an incredible workbook for kids. Message from the author: This is a stressful time for families and children. We want to give comforting answers, yet we are looking for comfort ourselves. At a time when we all need hugs and closeness, we are asked to maintain distance. We’ve designed this workbook to be used flexibly so you can bridge the gaps created by our changing circumstances. Share it with your child for activities and as a conversational tool. You can also encourage an older child to work with a younger sibling, or go to a calming corner and reflect independently. We believe that your family will form bonds through these shared activities that lead to greater resilience. And we hope that the emotional resources your children develop will serve them well in this time of crisis, and in months and years ahead.
  4. Am I Safe? Exploring Fear and Anxiety with Children.
    • This page includes information and activities that are referenced in the book, as well as some additional resources to help you dig deeper and explore farther. These resources and tools could provide a few “jumping off points” for connecting with children around the ideas of fear, anxiety and other big, scary emotions. For those children with debilitating anxiety, perhaps these resources can offer a starting point for supportive conversations and greater understanding on the way to hope.
    • Please note that this book has an introduction to GrownUps that acknowledges God’s work in the authors’ hearts, and how God cherishes all of us. This message is not inclusive, but the rest of the book beyond the introduction is non-denominational and equitable.

Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook

Dr. Sachiko, from www.baypsychology.ca has created a COVID-19 workbook that can be used to help learn how to tolerate strong emotions. It includes a daily planner, gratitude journal and much more. It can be used individually but preferably alongside a therapist.

For adults and youth.

YouTube Videos