The school I am lucky enough to serve as the school social worker is located on the north-side of Milwaukee. The students I work with are eager to help, form close bonds with staff here, and show resilience despite the challenges they face.
The challenges they face vary greatly, but may include poverty, single-parent households, witness to violence, homelessness, or a learning disability.
Because of this, we must support their social and emotional needs while we foster academic engagement and success.
Our students have potential, talents, and voices that need to be challenged, developed and expressed. Having strong emotional regulation will allow them to do just that. I believe expanding social emotional learning supports will lead to greater educational success and positive classroom climates for academics.
My Project
One of the social emotional learning supports I would like to expand on is a physical space for emotional regulation.
Our school would benefit from having a "Zen Den" where students could be taught and have opportunity to practice self-regulation strategies.
Often, in elementary school, this would look like sensory stimulation. This is because, developmentally, students are less able to use discussion and cognitive strategies. Sensory tools such as weighted items (ie. lap buddy, blackets, vests, etc) can be soothing for some students. Additionally, mindfulness strategies can be supported by sensory tools such as tactile manipulatives like putty or sand or visual objects such as a lava lamp.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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