The Art Docent System – SEDL: Voluntary Compliance Guide

Social and Emotional Development and Learning’s major components have been incorporated into the Art Docent Company’s core tenets. We have utilized the Guidelines and Resources for Social and Emotional Development and Learning (SEDL) of New York State as a platform to build upon.

SEDL is a variety of approaches that include instruction, which allows for a child to:

Recognize ones emotions and values as well as ones strengths and limitations
Allows him or her to manage their emotions and behaviors to achieve ones goal

An excerpt from the Executive Summary of the Guidelines and Resources for (SEDL) of New York State: “ The purpose in learning voluntary Social and Emotional Development and Learning Guidelines is to offer school districts compelling information, examples and evidence of SEDL in elementary and secondary schools education programs. This guidance document aims to give school communities a rationale and the confidence to address child and adolescent affective development as well as cognitive development.

By attending to the student’s social-emotional brain development and creating conditions where school environments are calmer and safer, teachers can teach more effectively, students learn better, and parents and community can feel pride in a social enterprise.” As the authors of an Annenberg Research study of the middle grades in Chicago found. “These guidelines and accompanying resources seek to persuade school leaders, faculties, planning teams and parents that social and emotional development and learning is within reach through a range of approaches that seem as entry points and avenues for expansion.

To further illustrate the connection and direction the Art Docent Company has taken in regard to (SEDL) and implemented into each of its lesson plans, we will outline some of our more prominent approaches.

Chronological Order:

A vital part of every lesson plan, the knowledge gained in the Humanities (History & Culture) is invaluable and creates heightened self-esteem in the children.

Multiculturalism:

Develops and instills a deep respect for many different cultures. A core Tenet featured in every lesson plan.

Therapeutic Effect:

The benefits of participating in the process of creating art is proven to relax and thus reduce stress. This is accentuated in every lesson plan through subtle yet effective techniques such as the creation of Mandalas, deep breathing instruction, and through the participation with every hands-on-project.

Self Realization “Understanding Creativity”:

By explaining the meaning of, and giving a description of this very complex phenomenon, which we have extensively researched, it unleashes the endless possibilities for success throughout a young persons lifetime. This is a vital part of each lesson plan.

Vocabulary Development:

Through the use of a selected and considerable vocabulary we explain and describe words associated with feelings for example, empathy and self-esteem. This is in every lesson plan as well as in our considerable review, which will also be incorporated into a blended learning framework schedule.

Cooperation:

As one of our vocabulary words, we explain the meaning of and detail how important cooperation was to early modern man’s survival and how it continues to be of vital importance to our success in every part of our development. We also involve the children in a simple cooperation exercise, which demonstrates the power of working together to achieve a common goal.

Some additional facts confirming the benefits associated with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as published by Cindy Johansen, Edutopia from enews@news.edutopia.org