HOW LEARNING HAPPENS: New Videos Highlight Effective Social and Emotional Learning Practices
New Series from the Readiness Projects
When children and youth shout with enthusiasm because they are engaged in consistent practices in their schools and afterschool programs, you know the adults around them are doing something right. That’s just one of the powerful moments you witness in a video featuring a community-wide effort in Tacoma, Washington, that emphasizes common language and shared best practices across settings.
This story is part of an exciting series of videos released by Edutopia, a trusted source shining a spotlight on what works in education. Part of the How Learning Happens series, these ten new videos connect what we know about the science of learning and development with practical applications for educators and providers in all youth-serving settings. The collection highlights exemplary out-of-school time programs in four communities and examines the best practices at work. While the videos were filmed pre-Covid, the strategies and themes are more important than ever.
On behalf of the Readiness Projects, Karen Pittman provides expert commentary on the youth development practices seen in the videos. She is joined by Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, president and CEO of the Learning Policy Institute, who also provides commentary highlighting practices exemplifying the science of learning and development.
Any adult who works with young people will find helpful ideas and effective practices seen in out-of-school time programs. Research comes alive here demonstrating that creating optimal conditions for learning wherever kids spend time can boost student motivation and engagement. And these videos show the practices in action. Featured topics include:
- Building Adult Capacity for Social and Emotional Learning
- Using Athletics to Teach Social and Emotional Skills
- Connecting School and Afterschool with Shared Practices
- Engaging Families with Social and Emotional Learning Strategies
- Celebrating Cultural Identity Through the Arts
- Bringing Core Content to Life with Outdoor Education
- Moving From the Comfort Zone to the Challenge Zone
- Showing a Path to the Future Through Role Models
- Scaffolding Academics with Social and Emotional Skills in the Afterschool Space
Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a closer look at many of these videos in this blog and consider the science highlighted and how the video might be used by practitioners.
The new How Learning Happens videos were developed in partnership with many co-strategists of the Readiness Projects including the Science of Learning & Development Alliance, Education Counsel, Afterschool Alliance, and the National AfterSchool Association. Support was provided by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Anyone who works with young people and cares about social and emotional learning and development will want to watch and share these videos. Share your reactions in the comments below!
