Educator and author Erin Waters joins Shannon and Mary to discuss supporting the whole child through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Erin shares her teaching journey and highlights the crucial connection between SEL & literacy development—because our students aren’t just learning to read; they’re learning who they are. They explore what SEL looks like in real classrooms: morning meetings that build community, read-alouds that spark emotional awareness, and simple coping strategies that help students manage anxiety and stress. The discussion also acknowledges the lasting impact of the digital age and the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ social-emotional well-being, as more children than ever are navigating big feelings.Erin introduces her book Wally Is Worried as a relatable resource for helping children understand and express their emotions. Listeners will walk away with practical tools, recommended texts, and encouragement to make SEL an intentional part of everyday literacy instruction.

01:40 Special Guest: Erin Waters on SEL
03:06 Defining SEL and Its Importance
06:03 Real-World SEL Classroom Experiences
11:41 Impact of Digital Age on SEL
16:18 Post-COVID SEL Challenges
21:43 Coping Mechanisms and Solutions
39:16 Final Thoughts and Resources

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES RELEVANT TO THE EPISODE:

1. Wally is Worried by Erin Waters  *Amazon affiliate link
2. Our engagement episode
3. Our technology episode
4. Book list with SEL topics, curated by Love Grows Learning
5. Big Little Feelings blog
6. NEA (National Education Association):  SEL Resources
7. Reading Rockets:  Classroom Strategies that Support SEL
8. Reading with Relevance:   a CASEL-certified SEL supplemental program
9. CASEL.org
10. Centervention:   95 Social Emotional Learning Activities
11. Integrating SEL Into Your Reading Block 
12. Children's Institute:   SEL Resources and Tools
13. Erin Waters' website
14. Connect with Erin via IG

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