As part of the Stronger Connections Grant, Dorchester District 4 has partnered with the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry’s St. George location to bring engaging and impactful Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons into the classroom. This initiative aims to equip students with essential skills to navigate their emotions, build relationships, and make responsible decisions, setting a strong foundation for success in school and life.
On Friday, January 31st, Ms. Ariel Rivers from the St. George Children’s Museum visited a kindergarten class at Clay Hill Elementary School to introduce students to SEL through storytelling and hands-on activities. She read Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul, a beautifully illustrated book that offers simple yet effective ways for children to cope with strong emotions. The story’s message resonated with the young learners, providing them with practical strategies for managing feelings in a healthy way.
Following the reading, Ms. Rivers engaged the students in a hands-on activity where they created their own sensory bags. These sensory-rich tools are particularly beneficial for young children and those with sensory processing difficulties, helping them develop emotional awareness and self-regulation skills. The key benefits of these sensory bags include:
Encouraging Emotional Awareness: By associating colors, textures, or objects with specific feelings, children learn to identify and name their emotions.
Supporting Emotional Regulation: The tactile nature of the bags provides a calming tool for children to use when feeling overwhelmed or upset.
Fostering Communication: For students who may struggle to verbalize their emotions, the sensory bags offer a concrete way to express how they feel.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is a critical part of childhood development, and programs like this help students build self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. By incorporating engaging, interactive lessons, Clay Hill Elementary is fostering a supportive environment where students can grow emotionally and socially, preparing them for lifelong success.
The partnership between DD4 and the St. George Children's Museum is a testament to the district’s commitment to providing students with meaningful learning experiences. Thanks to the dedication of educators and community partners like Ms. Rivers, students are not only learning academic skills but also gaining the emotional intelligence needed to thrive in school and beyond.
In the coming weeks, the Children's Museum will also be visiting Williams Memorial Elementary and Harleyville Elementary, bringing these valuable SEL lessons to even more students across the district.