Supporting SEL at Home
A child's first teachers are usually their families. These strategies can be used together with families to encourage social-emotional learning skills far beyond the classroom.
🧸 Early Childhood Families
Young children need to be given the chance to incorporate and enhance their social skills as well as their emotional vocabulary on a regular basis while at home.
Bedtime Emotional Check-Ins
Regular nighttime discussions that include a mental health check-in. Ask guided questions such as, "What was the most enjoyable part of your day?" and "Was there anything that was challenging, and how did that make you feel?"
Focused Reading
Try incorporating time for reading books that focus on emotions together and ask "How do you think that character might feel?" This activity will help increase emotional vocabulary and empathy.
Naming Emotions
Frequently, at random moments during the day, name aloud how the child is feeling. For example, "You seem to be getting frustrated trying to tie your shoes. It's okay, let's take some deep breaths together." This helps to validate the child's feelings.
📚 Middle Childhood Families
As children become mature, so does their social environment. Families may facilitate this development by creating norms for communication and modeling good relationships.
Family Meetings
Plan and organize routine family check-ins where everyone shares what went well and what did not go so well throughout their day. Families need to normalize expressing feelings and foster an environment that encourages one another.
Extracurricular Activities
Encourage students to get active and participate in extracurricular activities to increase social development. Helping the child stay active with athletics and clubs also builds skills such as teamwork, conflict resolution, and positive relationships.
Model Conflict Resolution
Consistently model the behavior you want your child to display. Avoid physical altercations and talk through disagreements. When children witness adults resolve conflict peacefully and respectfully, they are able to reflect those behaviors when a situation arises.
Device-Free Conversation Time
Implement time that is specifically designated for conversation. A great opportunity to try this method would be during meals, incorporating emotional sharing.
🌟 Adolescent Families
Teens need their families more than ever—even when they don’t show it. Staying connected during this critical stage helps build lifelong emotional resilience.
Non-Judgmental Listening
Keep lines of communication open. Practice non-judgmental listening—focus on understanding, not fixing. Teens who feel heard are more likely to seek help when they need it.
Know the Warning Signs
Know the warning signs of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. Changes in sleep, appetite, social withdrawal, or loss of interest in activities can be early indicators.
Validate Emotions
Discuss emotions openly without minimizing: “I hear that you’re stressed. Tell me more.” Validation doesn’t mean agreement—it means acknowledging the reality of their emotional experience.
Build a Support Network
Encourage adolescents to build a “support network” of trusted adults—a coach, teacher, aunt, family friend—so they have multiple safe adults to turn to.
Crisis Resources for Families
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Available 24/7 — Free and confidential
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Available 24/7 — Free crisis counseling via text