THE LAP CHILD AND PICTURE BOOK QUESTIONS

“One day . . . or day one.” -- Anonymous

December: Cherokee Month of the Snow Moon

SEL: #4 Relationship Skills                    

Digital Learner: #4 Creative Communicator

 A kind word to one in trouble is often like a switch in a railroad track. . .an inch between wreck and smooth sailing.                                                                                                                                                             – Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

When we read a story to a child, it is a gift of time and space in our lives and theirs. Social-emotional learning (SEL) teaches a child to build his or her emotional muscles in order to recognize they are having feelings, what they are, effective ways of dealing with them, and that you have them too. Everyone does. They are not alone. We can reassure the child that feelings will not last forever even though it seems so now. Here are a few questions to ask a child while reading picture books. By doing so, the child will feel seen and heard (Siegel, 2019):

·       What could this character do?

·       How do you think this character feels?

·       What does his or her face say?

·       How do you feel? Is it the same?

·       Why do you think they feel this way?

·       Could they ask for help? Why or why not?

·       What about good words? Which ones?

·       What is the next right thing to do? And then, the next right thing?

·       How do you feel now?

Aloha love, 

Carla

I am committed to being an effective member of the global digital community. Montana Cat Tales for Life-Long Learners publishes children’s picture books, for ages 4-8, on earth science, feelings and emotions, and social-emotional learning (SEL). These books work to help children understand themselves and their place in the world through animal characters and diverse human companions. They provide Learning-to-Learn Skills for Early Readers, sight-words, and phonics to enrich academic development.

Commitments of a Digital Citizen (2022): I am inclusive. I engage with others online with respect and empathy. I am informed. I evaluate the accuracy, perspective, and validity of online information. I am engaged. I use technology for civic engagement and to be a force for good. I am balanced. I prioritize my time and activities online and offline. I am alert. I know how to be safe online and create safe spaces for others.  digcitcommit.org  ISTE.org   

The 5 SEL Competencies are: Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. CASEL.org

The 7 Competencies for Technology in Education Empowered Learner: I use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrating my learning. Global Collaborator: I strive to broaden my perspective, understand others, and work effectively in teams using digital tools. Digital Citizen: I understand the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world. Creative Communicator: I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media. Knowledge Constructor: I critically select, evaluate, and synthesize digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge. Computational Thinker: I identify authentic problems, work with data, and use a step-by-step process to automate solutions. Innovative Designer: I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools. ISTE.org  

Disclaimer for Blog This site cannot and does not contain social-emotional learning (SEL) or technology in education advice. These materials are provided for general informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for professional advice on any particular concerns or circumstances involved. This Blog: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone! aims to share ideas and best practices, in good faith, only. Any information sent to Carla Chapin, or to Montana Cat Tales for Life-Long Learners, LLC, through the website, Internet, or email is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis. The original content of the websites Carla Chapin, Montana Cat Tales for Life-Long Learners, LLC and the Blogs: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone!  and Montana Cat Tales for Life-Long Learners, are copyrighted materials and are subject to the restrictions and protections set forth in the Copyright Act.