Hello Families,
As we wrap up September, I want to share a brief update from our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program. This month, our focus was on Kindness, with an executive functioning theme of self-regulation and impulse management. Across all grades, we explored how kindness begins with the ability to pause, recognize our emotions, and make thoughtful choices — even when things feel difficult.
In our younger grades, students practiced identifying emotions, using calming tools, and finding kind ways to solve problems with peers. Through stories, movement, and role-play, we worked on noticing big feelings and using strategies—like breathing, counting, or asking for help—to manage them.
In our upper grades, we focused on understanding stress: what it is, how it affects our minds and bodies, and how to cope in healthy, positive ways. Students learned that stress is normal, but it’s important to notice the signs early and use tools like movement, positive thinking, mindfulness, and reaching out for support. The goal was to empower students to take care of themselves and know when to seek help.
For Elementary Parents: Supporting Emotional Regulation
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Zones of Regulation Parent Resource – A simple framework that helps children identify their feelings and choose strategies to get back to calm.
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PBS Kids: Teaching Emotional Regulation – Playful, developmentally appropriate ideas for helping kids name and manage big emotions.
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Child Mind Institute: Helping Kids Calm Down – Practical guidance for parents on modeling calm and building regulation skills at home.
For Middle School Parents: Managing Stress
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NPR Life Kit: Helping Teens Manage Stress – Tips for talking with teens about stress and helping them find balance.
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American Academy of Pediatrics: Helping Adolescents Handle Stress – Research-based guidance on healthy coping and family connection.
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Child Mind Institute: Recognizing and Managing Teen Stress – Ways to help middle schoolers understand what triggers stress and how to manage it effectively.
Best,
Kelly Dobelstein