SEL IN AFTERSCHOOL COHORT 2021-2022 |
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A Message from the ACROSS NH SEL Project Coordinator:
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Last Day to Register is October 21st!
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At the heart of our field is the need to build positive relationships, create quality learning opportunities, and contribute to lifelong thriving outcomes for our youth. The profound way these values are connected within the field of SEL is the core of the ACROSS NH Social and Emotional Learning in Afterschool Cohort.
Participation in the cohort will include a monthly 3-hour virtual work session and a post-meeting implementation assignment. Each program will have access to an ACROSS NH consultant to support the completion of SEL implementation assignments.
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Here is What Participants Said About Last Year's Series: |
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“This was an amazing course and very eye opening. I think I could probably take this multiple times and come away with something new and different each time.”
“I was truly honored to be part of this first SEL training series. The series was well-planned and each session was exceptional.”
“This was one of the best classes I have ever taken. It was full of relevant content. Participants were engaged in the classes. Concepts learned were easily put into practice. It was professionally presented.”
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Coming Soon: Multi-Session SEML Series |
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Dear NH Out-of-School Time SEL Community, |
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I hope this letter finds you well and settled into your school year routines. This month’s Clip, Snips, and In-A-Snap sections focus on Mindfulness, and specifically, highlighting the mindful practice of engaging our five senses. I would love to hear from programs about the ways children and youth are encouraged to explore their environment using their five senses. Please email me at ablodgett@seresc.net, and be on the look out for the dates of the Social, Emotional, and Mindfulness Learning (SEML) cohort, coming soon in Winter of 2022!
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Warm Regards,
Abigail J. Blodgett
SEL Project Coordinator, ACROSS NH
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CLIPS, SNIPS, AND IN-A-SNAP
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Who wants a program filled with mindful children? Mindful staff? I think the vote would be a unanimous and resounding “ME!” But, just what is a mindful child? Check out this interview with Ruth Buczynski, the founder and president of the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine with the best-selling author of, The Mindful Child, Susan Keiser Greenland. In this short interview, Susan gives us thoughtful answers the following questions:
- What is a mindful child?
- Why do you think it’s important to teach mindfulness to children?
- You say that children shouldn’t necessarily mediate to be mindful, why is that and what do you think they should do instead?
- Could you give us an example of a playful practice?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the responses Susan gives to these questions. How were they helpful? How did you connect with what she had to say? Please email me at ablodgett@seresc.net.
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This Fall themed mindful/five senses scavenger hunt can be adapted in many ways. Consider, to us New Englanders, Autumn is a cultural crowning jewel that many of us can connect to in similar and meaningful ways. When using this as a tool in the future, what adaptations or other themes could engage your children in youth in relevant experiences engaging their senses? What routines are already part of your program culture and are readily available to bring focused attention to in an intentional sensory way? The scavenger hunt “facilitator hints” gives a few ideas of how to use the correlating tool (I give you permission to photocopy at will). These hints give a few ways that the activity can be planned for and adapted.
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- The learning environment can be provisioned for ahead of time with items made available for the children/youth to encounter that engage all five of their senses.
- The scavenger hunt can include both things physically encountered in the present moment or be expanded to include artifacts/memories and thoughts that are sensory connected.
- What other adaptations can you think of? How did this activity go for you in your program? What types of conversations did it lead to?
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DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES FROM ACROSS NH
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Guided Resource Walk Trainings |
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If you have questions about these trainings, or you would like to request a Resource Introduction Training for your program, please email acrossnh@seresc.net or call (603) 206-6848.
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This guide seeks to support afterschool programs with the development of policies that seek to include all children and youth. Research shows many positive outcomes from participation in afterschool programs that intentionally address growth in personal and social skills. |
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Social and Emotional Learning takes place in all contexts that children and youth participate: their homes, schools, out-of-school time environments, and communities. The field of afterschool’s commitment to Social and Emotional Learning can make a profound difference in the lives of the young people served, and in the adults who guide them.
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If you would like to request a printed copy of one of these guides,
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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: |
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Abigail J. Blodgett, NH ASMP & ECMP
Social and Emotional Learning Project Coordinator
ACROSS NH, a project of SERESC
165 South River Road, Unit F
Bedford, NH 03110
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Art by Mercy, 12 years old |
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ACROSS NH is a project of the Southeastern Regional Education Service Center (SERESC) and is funded by the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration. Our goal is to provide statewide technical assistance and professional development opportunities to afterschool providers to support their work in creating high quality, innovative programs for schoolage children. |
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