To help my learners develop the five core competencies of Social Emotional Learning (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making), I have tried strategies such as structured group discussions, role-play activities, and simple reflection exercises at the end of lessons. These have been successful in encouraging students to express their feelings and build empathy, though one challenge has been ensuring that quieter learners feel confident enough to participate.

I think the lesson plans and SEL games from the International Rescue Committee resources could be very useful in my context. For example, activities that focus on teamwork and problem-solving would work well because they encourage collaboration while building relationship skills. I would likely adapt them to fit the resources available in my classroom—for instance, using oral storytelling or simple drawing exercises instead of printed materials.

One idea I am keen to try is a game that helps learners practise empathy and perspective-taking, as I believe this would strengthen both social awareness and relationship skills in a way that feels engaging and relevant to their daily lives.