Social, Emotional and Mental Well-Being
Have you learned a lot about yourself in the last few months? I have! Faced with a variety of personal and professional stressors, I have been much more aware of my natural coping mechanisms (or lack thereof) and my susceptibility to the human condition. Like many of you, my husband and I have been working full-time while caring for our three school-aged children and supporting them with off-site learning. In addition, we’ve had curveballs that I am certain you can relate to: “Where did all of those ants in our kitchen come from!?” and “Mom! It says that our Internet connection is unstable again! My Zoom is not working!” Amidst it all, there has also been much to be thankful for and evidence of God working things together for good. He is faithful!
During this time, I have been reminded of the importance of caring for my emotional and mental health so that I can better serve and interact with those around me. Hearing from mental health professionals that the true ‘second wave’ of the pandemic is a mental health crisis does not feel far-fetched.
These stretches that we have been experiencing as adults have been experienced by children as well. The Ministry of Education advised teachers to prioritize mental health for students participating in the voluntary return-to-school this June. We have been intentional in the way we welcome children into the school and our classrooms and in the activities that we have planned.
As educators, we have long been aware of the importance of mental health and social emotional learning (SEL); academic learning is greatly compromised when students are not supported in these areas of their growth and development. SEL and mental health are a large part of our curriculum (namely the Personal and Social Core Competencies). As shown in the image below, SEL is built upon a foundation of good mental health: self-awareness, empathy, optimism and emotional regulation.
When you hear your children come home from on-site learning claiming that they “played games all day”, you might be hearing evidence of social, emotional and mental health teaching strategies, typically taught through games. Whether it be during Zoom meetings with off-site learners and or in person with students on-site, teachers are considering ways that they can positively contribute to the social, emotional and mental well-being of our students.
At RCS, our primary way of contributing to students’ well-being is by teaching, reminding, and modeling for them that our true hope and joy comes from Jesus. In Him we live, and move, and have our being. He is our firm foundation! As parents, we encourage you to embrace the many situations that you have to help your child foster self-awareness, empathy, optimism and emotional regulation as you walk through your days as a family. Please know that we are praying for you as parents and that we are thinking intentionally about how we can partner with you in supporting your child’s well-being during our short time in person with them this June and going forward into the next school year.
Mrs. Angela Laing
Vice Principal of Learning EC
