Kids Develop Social & Emotional Learning at the Club

What is Social & Emotional Learning?

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) focuses on teaching kids how to manage emotions, set goals, establish relationships, and make responsible decisions.

With the skills to regulate their own emotional responses, kids are more likely to solve their own problems, manage disagreements respectfully, and thrive in school and life.

How Does it Fit into Summer Learning?

To help Club kids maintain their education level over summer and not fall behind, a team of dedicated Club staff builds an educational program called Summer Brain Gain as a part of Summer Camp.

Summer Brain Gain gives kids 20-minute structured intervals for reading, writing, math, and social & emotional learning.

By including social & emotional learning in Summer Brain Gain, we aim to impart that academic and social & emotional learning happen in tandem to lead to well-rounded and healthy adults.

Thoughtful and Intentional Programming

Week by week, Club members address different areas of SEL such as self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness.

To account for maturity level differences, kids are grouped by grades (K-2, 3-5, and 6-8) to have level-appropriate programming for each age group.

Learn more about how this program has developed to better serve our community here.

Kids Discover Independence and Empathy

At the Salmon Bay Club last summer, staff led an SEL activity for kids in kindergarten through second grades. In the activity, kids received different colored M&Ms and responded to questions with corresponding colors. The kids ended up continuing the game for two hours, talking and listening to each other. They then used what they learned to help relate to each other for the next week.

At North Beach, kids gathered in a safe-space circle to share anything they wanted. Through self-directed deep discussions, kids got a better understanding of each other. Two members who frequently argued found common ground in their home lives and developed a more stable relationship.

Many more staff members report that SEL-programming often runs past the allotted 20 minutes, as kids really get into and embrace the opportunity to voice their feelings in an accepting environment.