Social Emotional learning (SEL) is a critical part of a child's education that has gained increasing attention in recent years. SEL is the process through which children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Today, we will explore what Social Emotional Learning is and why it matters.
When teaching our students during wetlands ecology field trips and programs, we want them to understand the role that humans play in our current environment. Though removal efforts for local invasive species like the nutria should certainly continue, the easiest solution to an invasive species problem is prevention.
New Orleans is home to a broad range of caterpillars, both stinging and non-stinging. While some caterpillars can be harmful if touched, others are harmless and even beneficial to the ecosystem. It is important to know the difference between the two both to avoid a painful sting and to appreciate the rich diversity of our local critters.
Though most of us -adults included- aren’t likely to give up our screens permanently, we can be more purposeful about how we use them. Screen time isn’t all bad, but it can get out of hand easily. It’s important for kids to develop healthy boundaries with their devices rather than falling prey to the lure of all-consuming screen time.
Here at LOOP NOLA, we often use low ropes challenges to get groups working together both physically and mentally. By using communication and problem-solving skills, groups come out of the experience bonded together. No longer a gaggle of strangers, they’ve become a team.
But how does that work, exactly? In this post, we’ll share some of the elements that make low ropes such a successful team building activity.
