If I were an educator, I would focus on integrating SEL into daily routines and curriculum, recognizing its importance for holistic child development, especially in challenging contexts. The five core competencies of SEL typically include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making . To foster self-awareness, I would implement daily check-ins where students identify and articulate their emotions. This could involve using emotion charts or journaling prompts. For self-management, I would teach and practice mindfulness exercises, similar to those emphasized by the IRC, to help students regulate their emotions and focus their attention . This would also involve setting small, achievable goals and reflecting on progress. Developing social awareness would involve activities that encourage perspective-taking and empathy. Role-playing different social scenarios and discussing diverse viewpoints would be key. Relationship skills would be built through collaborative group projects, conflict resolution strategies, and explicit teaching of communication skills. Finally, responsible decision-making would be addressed through problem-solving activities and discussions about the consequences of various choices, encouraging ethical considerations.

A significant challenge in implementing SEL strategies can be the lack of dedicated time in an already packed curriculum . Another hurdle is ensuring consistent application across all staff members and gaining parental involvement, which the IRC framework highlights as crucial . Successes often manifest as improved classroom climate, reduced behavioral issues, and enhanced student engagement.

Utilizing IRC Resources in Teaching Given the context of the question, and assuming a teaching environment that might benefit from resources designed for challenging circumstances, I believe many of the lesson plans and SEL games from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) resources would be highly applicable. The IRC's SEL framework is specifically designed for use in conflict and crisis-affected settings, which often present unique stressors for children and adolescents .

Specifically, I would consider using:

Mindfulness activities: The IRC's emphasis on mindfulness as a cross-cutting approach to help children reduce anxiety and stress, focus attention, and persevere through difficulties is particularly relevant . These activities could be integrated at the start of each day or before challenging tasks to help students regulate their emotions and prepare for learning.

Lesson plans and activity guides from the Safe Healing and Learning Spaces (SHLS) Toolkit: This toolkit includes over 50 SEL lesson plans and activity guides . These would be invaluable for structured SEL instruction, providing concrete activities to teach the IRC's SEL competencies. The toolkit's focus on implementation and contextualization guidance would be crucial for adapting the materials to my specific classroom and cultural context.

SEL games: Games are an excellent way to engage learners, especially younger ones, in developing social-emotional skills in a fun and interactive manner. The IRC's resources include such games . For example, games that require teamwork could foster relationship skills, while those involving identifying emotions could enhance self-awareness and social awareness.

Parent and caregiver programs with integrated SEL, such as "Families Make a Difference" and "Reach Up and Learn": While not directly classroom-based, these programs are vital for extending SEL support beyond the school walls and ensuring a consistent approach to children's development . Engaging parents and guardians is a key feature of effective SEL implementation, as highlighted by the IRC's findings on programs for parents and guardians .

These resources would work well because they are evidence-based and designed with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young people in difficult environments . The focus on creating secure, caring, and predictable environments aligns with best practices in education . Furthermore, the IRC's framework acknowledges the importance of context and culture, recommending adaptations to ensure materials are relevant for facilitators and children . This flexibility is crucial for successful implementation in diverse educational settings. The availability of support materials and guidance videos also makes these resources highly practical for educators .