Anti-stigma Programs Would Improve Mental Health Laws

[neversaydie]

13. social and emotional curriculum

I remember in kindergarten we had nap time. we learned about keeping our hands to ourselves and how to get along with other kids. Of course that was almost 50 years ago (:wow . When my daughter entered kindergarten in 1999, they laughed when I asked about nap time. My daughter had homework!... All of the focus seemed to be on academic achievement and testing. And it got tougher each year. My son entered kindergarten 3 years later and there was more homework. My 5-year-olds were STRESSED OUT IN KINDERGARTEN. I kept hearing stuff about "raising the bar" and "young kids are sponges" and all that. And that's true. However, you have to make sure that you don't raise the bar so high that they can't reach it. Set them up for failure and then wonder why they are struggling, or stressed.

Educating a child is not just about academics. In the first years we should model for them appropriate behavior, show them what it looks like to interact with other people. Not all kids have the ability or are comfortable with making new friends, dealing with social situations that come up for them for the first time. My nephew is learning about "situations" and "solutions" and he gets to choose which situation card he wants to do. It's a game, and he likes to play.

It goes into interpersonal communications skills, relationship skills, how to deal with bullying,... all kinds of stuff. I think I've seen SEL (social and emotional) curriculum being implemented, but I need to learn more.