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In the energetic environment of afterschool programs, staff play a crucial role in shaping the experiences and development of the children they serve. A lot of emphasis has been placed on fostering Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in children. But, who is going to model the behavior for them? The adults! This makes it equally important for the adults in these settings to develop their own SEL skills. Being intentional about Adult SEL training programs can lead to better outcomes for both staff and young people. Let’s explore why SEL is vital for adults working in afterschool programs, and how it can enhance their professional and personal lives.
SEL is the process through which individuals acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Originally developed for educational settings to support children's development, SEL has proven to be equally beneficial for adults. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a leading organization that promotes SEL initiatives, highlighting its importance across all age groups, including school staff. For more detailed information, you can refer to CASEL’s comprehensive overview of research on SEL (CASEL).
SEL helps adults manage stress, anxiety, and other emotions, enhancing their overall emotional well-being. Afterschool staff often face unpredictable situations like being understaffed, strong youth emotions, changes to schedules and so many more. Having strong SEL skills enables staff to navigate these challenges more effectively.
Positive relationships are everything in an afterschool program. Just one positive relationship can determine whether a child thrives or struggles in the afterschool environment. SEL helps adults understand how to build relationships with young people, caregivers and their co-workers. They learn to better communicate and manage inevitable conflict.
SEL contributes to professional success by improving leadership skills, teamwork, and workplace dynamics. For afterschool staff, these skills are crucial in creating a positive and collaborative work environment, which directly impacts the quality of their programs.
At The Flourish Lab we have had the opportunity to visit countless afterschool programs. The programs where we observe the most engaged young people are the programs where the staff is engaged and staff dynamics are positive.
SEL promotes personal growth and self-improvement through increased self-awareness and better decision-making. Staff who engage in SEL practices are more likely to reflect on their experiences, learn from them, and continuously improve both personally and professionally. SEL training leads to learning that can be used in all areas of life, not just the workplace.
Engaging in SEL practices can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and burnout. For afterschool staff, this means being better equipped to handle the demands and often chaotic nature of their job working with young people while maintaining their own mental health and wellness. Mitigating burnout is vital in an industry where turnover is already a common challenge.
There is a strong connection between emotional well-being and physical health. Reduced stress levels and improved emotional regulation can lead to better overall health. And when we feel better, we are more likely to show up as our best…. Or imply to show up at all!
SEL helps adults achieve a better work-life balance by managing time and stress effectively. This balance is crucial for afterschool staff, who need to juggle both the time and emotional demands of their job with everything in their personal lives. The often chaotic and stressful environment of an afterschool program can tend to take a toll on personal lives when those lines get crossed. We often ask participants in our workshops to raise their hand if they have ever taken their workplace stress out on the people they love the most in their personal lives. Almost everyone raises their hand.
SEL skills build resilience, helping adults cope with challenges and setbacks. It is common to experience challenges in an afterschool program. It is emotional work that is often unpredictable; no two days are the same. Resilient staff are more likely to persevere through difficult situations and continue to provide high-quality care and support to their students.
Introduce mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and mindful walking. These practices can help afterschool staff stay present and focused, reducing stress and enhancing their ability to support students. Many mindfulness strategies only take a few minutes but can make a big difference.
Encourage staff to recognize when they begin to feel stressed during their afterschool program. Encourage them to pause before that stress turns into reactionary behavior that will have a negative effect on those around them. Introduce strategies for managing emotions, such as engaging in a breathing exercise, talking with a trusted co-worker, and getting a breath of fresh air. These, and other techniques can help staff navigate the emotional demands of their job more effectively and maintain calm and well-being.
Suggest and engage in activities that foster empathy and improve social skills, such as active listening exercises, validation skills, and storytelling. These skills are essential for building strong relationships with colleagues and students.
Encourage ongoing learning and self-reflection through books, workshops, webinars, and self-assessment tools. This continuous development ensures that staff are always improving their SEL skills and applying them in their work.
One of the significant benefits of incorporating SEL into afterschool staff training is the potential reduction in the need for traditional behavior management strategies. Traditional behavior management techniques often focus on control and compliance, which can overlook the deeper needs and individual differences of students. By equipping staff with SEL skills, we can create an environment where students feel understood, valued, and supported. This proactive approach addresses the root causes of behavior, fostering a positive climate where behavior issues are less likely to arise.
Investing in Adult SEL training for afterschool staff is a win-win-win situation. It enhances the well-being and effectiveness of the adults, fosters a positive and collaborative team culture, and creates a nurturing environment for the youth they serve. By prioritizing SEL, afterschool programs can ensure that both staff and students thrive.
In the energetic environment of afterschool programs, staff play a crucial role in shaping the experiences and development of the children they serve. A lot of emphasis has been placed on fostering Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in children. But, who is going to model the behavior for them? The adults! This makes it equally important for the adults in these settings to develop their own SEL skills. Being intentional about Adult SEL training programs can lead to better outcomes for both staff and young people. Let’s explore why SEL is vital for adults working in afterschool programs, and how it can enhance their professional and personal lives.
SEL is the process through which individuals acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Originally developed for educational settings to support children's development, SEL has proven to be equally beneficial for adults. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a leading organization that promotes SEL initiatives, highlighting its importance across all age groups, including school staff. For more detailed information, you can refer to CASEL’s comprehensive overview of research on SEL (CASEL).
SEL helps adults manage stress, anxiety, and other emotions, enhancing their overall emotional well-being. Afterschool staff often face unpredictable situations like being understaffed, strong youth emotions, changes to schedules and so many more. Having strong SEL skills enables staff to navigate these challenges more effectively.
Positive relationships are everything in an afterschool program. Just one positive relationship can determine whether a child thrives or struggles in the afterschool environment. SEL helps adults understand how to build relationships with young people, caregivers and their co-workers. They learn to better communicate and manage inevitable conflict.
SEL contributes to professional success by improving leadership skills, teamwork, and workplace dynamics. For afterschool staff, these skills are crucial in creating a positive and collaborative work environment, which directly impacts the quality of their programs.
At The Flourish Lab we have had the opportunity to visit countless afterschool programs. The programs where we observe the most engaged young people are the programs where the staff is engaged and staff dynamics are positive.
SEL promotes personal growth and self-improvement through increased self-awareness and better decision-making. Staff who engage in SEL practices are more likely to reflect on their experiences, learn from them, and continuously improve both personally and professionally. SEL training leads to learning that can be used in all areas of life, not just the workplace.
Engaging in SEL practices can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and burnout. For afterschool staff, this means being better equipped to handle the demands and often chaotic nature of their job working with young people while maintaining their own mental health and wellness. Mitigating burnout is vital in an industry where turnover is already a common challenge.
There is a strong connection between emotional well-being and physical health. Reduced stress levels and improved emotional regulation can lead to better overall health. And when we feel better, we are more likely to show up as our best…. Or imply to show up at all!
SEL helps adults achieve a better work-life balance by managing time and stress effectively. This balance is crucial for afterschool staff, who need to juggle both the time and emotional demands of their job with everything in their personal lives. The often chaotic and stressful environment of an afterschool program can tend to take a toll on personal lives when those lines get crossed. We often ask participants in our workshops to raise their hand if they have ever taken their workplace stress out on the people they love the most in their personal lives. Almost everyone raises their hand.
SEL skills build resilience, helping adults cope with challenges and setbacks. It is common to experience challenges in an afterschool program. It is emotional work that is often unpredictable; no two days are the same. Resilient staff are more likely to persevere through difficult situations and continue to provide high-quality care and support to their students.
Introduce mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and mindful walking. These practices can help afterschool staff stay present and focused, reducing stress and enhancing their ability to support students. Many mindfulness strategies only take a few minutes but can make a big difference.
Encourage staff to recognize when they begin to feel stressed during their afterschool program. Encourage them to pause before that stress turns into reactionary behavior that will have a negative effect on those around them. Introduce strategies for managing emotions, such as engaging in a breathing exercise, talking with a trusted co-worker, and getting a breath of fresh air. These, and other techniques can help staff navigate the emotional demands of their job more effectively and maintain calm and well-being.
Suggest and engage in activities that foster empathy and improve social skills, such as active listening exercises, validation skills, and storytelling. These skills are essential for building strong relationships with colleagues and students.
Encourage ongoing learning and self-reflection through books, workshops, webinars, and self-assessment tools. This continuous development ensures that staff are always improving their SEL skills and applying them in their work.
One of the significant benefits of incorporating SEL into afterschool staff training is the potential reduction in the need for traditional behavior management strategies. Traditional behavior management techniques often focus on control and compliance, which can overlook the deeper needs and individual differences of students. By equipping staff with SEL skills, we can create an environment where students feel understood, valued, and supported. This proactive approach addresses the root causes of behavior, fostering a positive climate where behavior issues are less likely to arise.
Investing in Adult SEL training for afterschool staff is a win-win-win situation. It enhances the well-being and effectiveness of the adults, fosters a positive and collaborative team culture, and creates a nurturing environment for the youth they serve. By prioritizing SEL, afterschool programs can ensure that both staff and students thrive.
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