Blog

Social-Emotional Learning during the Holidays

December 5, 2023

School is almost out, and students will have a well-deserved break from class. However, learning doesn’t have to stop completely as soon as school is out for the year. The holidays are the perfect time to practice kindness and generosity. We’ve curated five tips to engage your kids in social-emotional learning over the winter holiday.

Gratitude

The holidays are a wonderful time to teach children about being thankful. After all, with a focus on gift-giving and time with loved ones, there’s plenty to be grateful for. Explain, as well as role model, what it means to be thankful and use reminders on how to show appreciation to others.

Mindfulness

It is easy to be swept up in the flurry of the holidays. Being mindful begins by slowing down, taking those breaths and focusing on what’s important to you now. Savour those moments with family and count your blessings, it makes the season even more special.

Empathy

The holidays are a special time of the year for many, but unfortunately, not every child and household anticipates the winter holidays with hope, due to a range of circumstances and hardships. Sharing and participating in other people’s experiences around the holidays helps children build understanding, perspective, and empathy.

Compassion

Compassion puts the wheels on empathy.  If you have time, visit your neighbour, call a friend or invite someone who is having a hard time for dinner at your house. Children learn by observing their parents. Ask a family with a different background for dinner, or volunteer at a community event, serving dinner to homeless people for example. It is a nice way to build compassion.

Generosity

The holidays are a perfect time for giving back. You can donate gifts to community outreach programs, make a meal for a family in need, or start a little fundraising campaign for your favourite not-for-profit.  Remember too that there are other ways to give; time, talents and treasures.  Help your child to think of other simple ways to give their time and talents.  This probably sounds old-fashioned, but a handwritten card with friendly words can brighten someone’s day. Spend an afternoon with your kids writing seasonal greetings to people who can use some holiday cheer, or older people in caring homes in your community. A small gesture can have a big impact!

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

Have a teen? Sign up for Pass it On!

Have a teen? Sign up for Pass it On!

Do you have a teen (or know one) who starts at GISS this school year? Pass it On is a perfect way to meet friends, practice important life skills, have fun and make a smooth transition into high school. For teenagers who are already in high school is Pass it On a...

Are you Adopted?

Are you Adopted?

Identity is a topic that is regularly talked about in our programs. Sophia Coopman, who has a Jamaican mom and a dad with European roots, wrote a blog about it. Sophia didn’t inherit the brown skin of her mom, which triggers total strangers to ask her if she’s...

Best Books to Read for International Women’s Day

Best Books to Read for International Women’s Day

Leading up to International Women’s Day, we asked Sophia vom Bauer Jackson, service manager at the Salt Spring Island Public Library, to make a list of contemporary female-focused books. This is her Top 5 (fiction and non-fiction) plus some extra recommendations (all...

Healthy Risk Taking is about Growing and Developing

Healthy Risk Taking is about Growing and Developing

Teenagers crave and seek risks. It helps them to develop and grow. We often think of risk-taking as dangerous, but risk-taking is not always negative. Healthy risk-taking – like hiking up a mountain, riding a unicycle, or performing on stage – helps kids build...

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.