Social and emotional development promotes all of the following in children EXCEPT becoming increasingly set in their ways. participating in learning activities with peers. making healthy choices about one’s behavior. being more likely to experience empathy.

Social and Emotional Development is a developmental domain.TrueFalse

social emotional development in middle childhood

Fill in the blank:___________ development is the process through which children develop their attitudes and behaviors toward other people in society, based on social and cultural norms, rules, and laws. Social Moral Sensory Motor None of the above

The development of social studies in early childhood exposes children to different cultures, languages and ways of life. helps children become more empathetic and informed citizens. makes children aware of the impact of human decisions on society and the environment. All of the above

Throughout the past two decades, social-emotional learning has evolved into one of the most frequently talked about (and researched) topics within the field of education.Social-emotional learning (or “SEL”) is defined as the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain healthy relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions (CASEL, 2020).A growing body of research indicates that teaching SEL skills (such as empathy, perspective-taking, and gratitude) has a positive impact on a wide variety of student outcomes—from greater academic achievement to improved mental health to success in higher education and post-secondary careers. This has led school districts around the country to invest heavily in implementing SEL programs and practices that seek to support students in becoming self-aware, caring, responsible, and engaged lifelong learners who work collaboratively to achieve their goals and create a brighter future for all.Along with SEL’s surge in popularity has been a drastic increase in the presence of digital media and technology in the lives of children. Between 1:1 device programs in schools, the rise of virtual learning and educational technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the influx of new devices and streaming services from tech and entertainment companies, it’s safe to say that students in today’s world are more connected than any previous generation.In many ways, educational technologies have opened up an entirely new world of learning possibilities for students. We must acknowledge how many new skills students have learned over the past two years while interacting through virtual classrooms and maintaining connections with family and friends through screens. The digital environment in which children and teens interact is a central part of their life experiences, positive relationships, and identity development.As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology amidst a global pandemic, it’s clear that supporting the social and emotional well-being and overall digital wellness of youth must be prioritized—this school year and beyond.In this article, we will review the definition of digital wellness and explore how SEL efforts can be used to support the well-being of children and adolescents in both classrooms as well as at home.What is digital wellness?Digital wellness is an intentional state of physical, mental, and social health that occurs with mindful engagement in the digital and natural environment. Defined by the Digital Wellness Lab in 2021, the term refers to the capacity of media and technology to build digital environments that can help advance the overall well-being of children, their families, society, and humanity at large.How can I use digital tools to promote SEL in the classroom?Research tells us that digital learning and multimedia tools can support the development of social and emotional learning skills. Teachers and student support staff in schools can take advantage of digital tools that students are interested in using – such as tablets, smartboards, and computers – to build safe, supportive learning environments in which they teach and reinforce key SEL concepts.For example: empowering students and elevating their voices are two themes that align with core tenants of social-emotional learning. Many SEL practices and lessons are designed to help students expand their minds and vocalize their thoughts. Technology can help teachers amplify students’ voices and give students a chance to direct their own learning. Incorporating technology within SEL instruction and core academic content can help students work to their strengths, complete assignments at their own pace, and enjoy a more personalized experience in the classroom.For certain student populations, using technology to help practice self-regulation and emotional labeling skills is particularly helpful because it provides them—as digital natives—with a more comfortable environment to practice. Moreover, teachers are able to offer specialized support and individualize learning for these students by adjusting the content, medium, learning style, and pace of SEL instruction.Many schools are also incorporating digital citizenship programs (typically at the middle school and high school levels) that teach students how to apply SEL skills within online platforms for the purpose of managing digital environments with empathy, perspective, and self-awareness. In the same ways that we can teach (and model) perspective-taking, resilience, and productive struggle during in-person instruction, project-based learning with media and technology can enable students to practice kindness in the digital world. Communication in online settings (such as video games), identifying and combating cyberbullying using social awareness skills, and being self-aware and responsible while developing an online identity, are all examples of ways we can apply SEL skills to advance our collective digital well-being. Digital citizenship lessons can also help students reflect on their social media use, its impacts on their emotional health, and how it influences their social relationships.