Program Pedagogy
Program Pedagogy
Whether the student is a 2-year-old or a Preschool Director, the goal of each class is to learn and practice how best to care for ourselves and others. This could mean learning different breathing techniques to calm and nourish us; practicing yoga by connecting our breath with movement and intention; fostering relationships with others by cooperating with a partner to accomplish a goal. Whatever the task, I simply ask participants to open their ears, minds, and hearts to new things and ideas.
CASEL, the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, is the source of national Pre-K through grade 12 SEL learning standards. CASEL’s 5 core competencies are at the heart of Learning the Calm:
- Self-Awareness—Recognizing one’s emotions and values, as well as one’s strengths and limitations
- Self-Management—Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve one’s goals
- Responsible Decision Making—Making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior
- Relationship Skills—Forming positive relationships, working in teams, coping with conflict
- Social Awareness—Showing understanding and empathy for others
Each of our classes typically includes a discussion or lesson about at least one CASEL competency, by incorporating from the following 8 components:
- Settle-in—Connect to ourselves and each other through centering practices
- Breath Awareness—Connect to the present moment through breathing exercises
- Mindful Movement—Connect to our bodies through mindful movement (yoga)
- Community Connection—Connect to our community through meaningful interaction (partner or group work)
- Focus—Connect to our minds through visualizations and mindfulness techniques
- Creative Expression—Connect to our creativity through reflection and dialogue
- Relaxation—Connect to our well-being through rest and rejuvenation
- Closing—Connect to our experience together through intentional completion
Programs Offered
Programs Offered
Children’s classes can take place right in their classroom or in an open activity room within your school. The best times are 9-11 am when most students have arrived and are eager to learn.
Toddler (18 mos.–3 yrs.) Classes typically run 15-20 minutes each. Includes at least one CASEL competency and incorporates some of the following components (Settle-in, Breath Awareness, Mindful Movement, Community Connection, Focus, Creative Expression, Relaxation, and Closing).
Preschool (3–6 yrs.) Classes typically run 20-30 minutes each. Includes at least one CASEL competency and incorporates the following components (Settle-in, Breath Awareness, Mindful Movement, Community Connection, Focus, Creative Expression, Relaxation, and Closing).
Classes typically run 45-60 minutes each. Topics include the discussion of one or more CASEL competencies with tips for their application in the classroom and a modified version of the components used in student programs. Educator programs can coincide with professional development days or as an after-school option.
An important complement to these classes is the bi-weekly blog or newsletter for parents and teachers. This document describes skills learned during that period, tips to support learning at home or in the classroom, and shows the value of Learning the Calm for their family and school.
