Social and emotional learning (SEL), also called social and emotional wellness (SEW), is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. The resource below offer parents and educators tools to support healthy social and emotional learning for kids in middle school.
Families Connected Resources
Videos to foster a sense of belonging, build empathy and develop awareness
Fostering belonging, from Leah Niehaus, LCSW.
Connecting youth with compassion, with Anna Pirkl, LMFT, MA.
Rafael McMaster leads this SBFC Youth Advisory meeting and provides exercises and tools to help youth connect with awareness.
Kids share their thoughts about kindness, compassion and inclusion in this video.
Tips for parents
Click HERE to view in Spanish
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Click HERE to view in Spanish
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Related topics on the Families Connected website
Social emotional wellness resources for parents/guardians of K-5th grade kids
Access resources created for teens
Curated Gallery of Resources
Clicking on the logos, images, and links below will take you out of the Families Connected website and to the online resource indicated. Families Connected is not affiliated with these organizations, nor have these organizations paid to have their resources shared here. Please note that, unlike the Families Connected website, some of the websites/articles included here may display pop-up ads. Please read the terms of use agreement on this and all websites visited. Families Connected will remain open in your browser.
SEL/SEW Tools
Click on any organization’s logo to access outstanding social-emotional parenting tools to help build character, resilience, and foster empathy and compassion in children aged k-5 and beyond.
Featured national social-emotional wellness articles and podcasts
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Connected Parenting podcasts (free podcasts on a wide variety of parenting topics)
A Parent's Resource Guide to Social Emotional Learning (Edutopia, by the George Lucas Education Foundation)
Growth Mindset, Clearing Up Some Common Confusion (KQED - MindShift)
Tips and Guides for Social Emotional Wellness at All Stages (NBC News, Educaiton Nation)
A Comprehensive List of Resources for Teaching Growth Mindset (Edutopia, by the George Lucas Education Foundation)
Why Talking to Kids About Emotions Early Matters (Parent Co.)
The Science of Character, Developing Positive Learning Traits (KQED - Mindshift)
Teaching Character (KQED - MindShift)
How to Help Students Develop a Love of Reading (KQED - MindShift)
6 Ways to Help Our Children Know and Love Ourselves (Janet Lansbury)
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Why Understanding These Four Types of Mistakes Can Help Us Learn (KQED)
4 Small Ways to Build Confidence in Kids (Child Mind Institute)
Keep Calm and Parent On (PaloAltoOnline.com)
15 Questions to Replace, "How Was School Today?" (Edutopia, The George Lucas Educational Foundation)
Is My Child’s Anger Normal? (Child Mind Institute)
For More Youth Wellness Resources, visit:
For South Bay parents and caregivers
Go to the South Bay Families Connected landing page to view local events, the Teen Resource Center, to sign-up for the SBFC monthly parent e-newsletter, and more.
For parents and caregivers in the U.S.A.
Visit the Families Connected landing page for non-region-specific, free youth wellness online resources.