Social-Emotional Skills

At the heart of our PreK–3 classrooms is a strong focus on social-emotional learning (SEL)—helping students build the skills they need to understand themselves, relate to others, and make thoughtful, responsible choices. Using trusted instructional resources like Second Step and Choose Love, we provide age-appropriate instruction in areas such as empathy, emotion management, friendship skills, problem-solving, and resilience.

Our approach is guided by the Connecticut Social Emotional Learning (CT SEL) Framework, which outlines five key domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These core competencies are essential for student success both in and out of the classroom and are developed through daily interactions, classroom routines, and explicit instruction.

SEL is woven into the school day through stories, discussions, role-play, and collaborative activities that help children learn to recognize and manage emotions, build positive relationships, and contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.

By nurturing these essential life skills early, we lay a strong foundation for academic achievement, personal growth, and lifelong well-being.