Social and emotional learning has been shown to increase students’ academic performance, improve social interactions, as well as reduce rates of depression and anti-social behaviours.
Kildare College highly values students' social and emotional learning and has placed effort into developing a 12 week Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program to support learning in this space.
The program is conducted by the Director of Wellbeing, College Social Worker, and supported by staff and social work university placement students. It focuses on a specific topic each week, and sessions are structured in an interactive and fun environment, with the aim of providing students with a safe space to learn and develop life skills they can use every day.
Examples of key topics included within the program are:
The program is in its second year, due to the incredible success of last year. Previous participants, act as mentors by modelling skills and supporting the current students involved in the program.
In a year when student life has been disrupted by COVID-19 and some students may feel uncertain, the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program provides a sense of routine, normality and community connection. We acknowledge the additional stress and isolation the current pandemic may have had on our students and families and the impact on productivity, concentration and motivation. Our goal is that students involved in our Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program will leave the program with strength, resilience and skills to help manage obstacles they may encounter in the future.
Mikaela Brader
Fourth Year Social Work Student
