Title: Four Ways to Support Teens’ Social-Emotional…
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Four Ways to Support Teens’ Social-Emotional Development at School
We need to appeal to teens’ need for status and respect for SEL to work in high schools.
1. Invite students to use their character strengths
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2. Encourage students to imagine their best selves
Best Possible Self
3. Challenge students to explore their purpose
4. Value student leadership in your school community
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Amy L. Eva
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Content: After they learn about some of their key strengths, ask them to choose one strength to focus on every day for a week. Have them describe the strength in writing and propose several different ways they might use it each day, and challenge them to act on that strength throughout the week. GGSC Summer Institute for Educators
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For example, if a student wants to capitalize on kindness as a strength, he might perform a random act of kindness for a peer, write a thank-you note to a teacher, or volunteer to care for abandoned animals at a local shelter over the weekend. As an alternative to focusing on one strength all week, they might choose to focus on a different strength each day. Whichever option they choose, have them write about what they did, how it made them feel, and what they learned from the experience. Research tells us that this activity can increase well-being and reduce symptoms of depression. It’s easy for us to focus on our weaknesses and personal challenges, but when we spend time making the most of our positive qualities, we can build greater self-esteem and confidence. 2. Encourage students to imagine their best selves
Another way to help students clarify who they are and how they want to be in the world is to invite them to envision their ideal future. Ask your students to respond to the following questions in a 15-minute free-write: