Subject: Social/Emotional Learning

Posted by Heather Blau on 1/7/2010
In Reply To:Social/Emotional Learning Posted by Lees N. Stuntz on 1/6/2010

Message:

Unfortunately for us - the emotional, instinctual and rational parts of our brains don't always collaborate or communicate with one another, in fact, sometimes they undermine one another. Ex: social rules tell us that certain emotions are not acceptable, so we block them/ they freeze in our bodies, only to be triggered and released in full force later, usually under less appropriate circumstances.

Alex- I suspect your name calling colleague is an unfortunate, but common example of this sort of misplaced emotion. Check out anything by Maggie Klein & Peter Levine for more on this ("Trauma proofing your kids" is a favorite) or if you don't have time for one of their books this article tips for emotional first aid http://www.mothering.com/health/it-wont-hurt-forever-guiding-your-child-through-trauma

Phillip- Levine's website has a diagram which illustrates your point exactly- http://www.traumahealing.com/images/pptSlide01.gif When our nervous system can be "stuck on" = aggression, anxiety, etc. or "stuck off" = "withdrawal", dissociation, etc.

Zachary- a challenge I've been weighing in thinking about the role of ST/SD in emotional learning is that while we can use ST/SD tools to map out a dynamic / process, which can lead to some new understanding/ insight, this doesn't necessarily change behavior. Emotional learning doesn't really happen in the rational part of the brain (neo-cortex), emotional transformation happens in the limbic system (including amygdala) in the primitive and emotional brain. Kids who grow up in emotionally healthy, resilient families and communities grow up to be emotionally robust w/o a single emotional intelligence "lesson". I suspect the tone, intention and process of your lesson was a valuable (or perhaps even more valuable) to your students' emotional learning as the content.

Lees - The edutopia piece gives a great overview of the emotional learning curricula out there. Thanks for opening this up!

I was a K-5 teacher & literacy coach (in Boston and NYC), just getting my feet wet w/ systems thinking when I decided to switch gears and pursue clinical training (MSW). I'd love to connect with anyone out there exploring possible ways ST/SD, emotional learning and academic development influence and can potentially support one another.

Heather Lortie Blau

Follow Ups:

Social/Emotional Learning - Alex Leus 1/7/2010 
Social/Emotional Learning - Bill Braun 1/7/2010