CASEL Topic of the Month: Relationship Skills

The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the capacities to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, navigate settings with differing social and cultural demands and opportunities, provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed.  

Such as:

• Communicating effectively
• Developing positive relationships
• Demonstrating cultural competency
• Practicing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving
• Resolving conflicts constructively
• Resisting negative social pressure
• Showing leadership in groups
• Seeking or offering support and help when needed
• Standing up for the rights of others

Where Can I Find SEL This Month?

Once a month, GRPS’ Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Family and Community Engagement (FACE) teams go on the road to bring social and emotional learning workshops directly to our GRPS families in the places they learn best: their schools! These fun- filled family events are called “Dine-N-Dig Into Social Emotional Learning,” and are designed to equip our families with the skills and knowledge they need to help nurture their child’s social and emotional development.

This month’s Dine-N-Dig into SEL event is being hosted by our friends at Riverside Middle School on Thursday, February 8th! Shout out to Mr. Moody and his team for welcoming us into your school community.

Knowing that GRPS parents and caregivers are our scholars’ first SEL teachers, we believe that, together, we can unite our efforts to support the next generation of leaders!

Participants learn:

• What social & emotional learning is and why it is important
• How social & emotional learning can increase their scholar’s school performance and create healthier friendships
• Strategies families can use at home to their scholar build on their interests and learn about their many strengths
• The five SEL competencies (SEE BELOW: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills), which are vital to the teaching and understanding of social and emotional learning at school.

Dinner, childcare, and interpretive services are provided at each Dine-N-Dig into SEL event! These events are open to all GRPS families, regardless of whether their child attends the host school. If you and your school are interested in being a host location, please reach out to us so we can start planning! All questions can be forwarded to Katie Joseph at JosephK@grps.org or 616-819-1977.

Take A Mindful Minute

Mindful listening is an important skill! It is listening without judgment, criticism, or interruption. When we talk about building relationships, others may flourish when they feel seen or heard! This activity allows an inner stillness and is designed to block distractions to learn mindful listening skills. 

When listening to someone who is sharing their thoughts with you, here are some tips to practice mindful listening:

• Set the intention that you are going to listen mindfully.
• Be patient! Don’t jump to conclusions.
• Notice your feelings, thoughts, and body sensations when they happen. What is that telling you?

To read the rest of the article titled Tips for Practicing Mindful Listening, visit crtinstitute.com.