Table 3 Content and objectives of the emotional cognitive social early learning (ECSEL) curriculum (ages 0–6)
Tool | Objectives |
|---|---|
CTEE (causal talk in the context of emotional experience) | The heart of the ECSEL curriculum. Teachers use during the heat of the moment, while a child is in the midst of emotional arousal Increase emotional expressiveness, verbal and nonverbal in children Increase emotion regulation in children Increase communication about emotions Manage one’s own emotions Understand one’s own and other’s emotions |
Emotions chart/use gender neutral SheHeMes™ Figuresa | Designed to help children start to address cause and effect when it comes to their emotions and behavior Learn to label their emotion Increase understanding of certain situations that can make them feel a particular way Increase understanding of cause (a situation) and effect (emotional response) |
Emotion books | Representations of emotions (personalized or published) Condition children to recognize emotions and talk about them (causal talk) Learn to label their emotions Match facial expressions to different emotions Learn to identify cause of emotions |
Peace Table (3 years and above)/Peace Corner (toddler and preschoolers) | Provides children with repeated experiences and opportunities to develop and strengthen emotion regulation and executive functioning skills. During a visit to the Peace Table children 1. Physiologically regulate their body (deep breaths, “calm down” bottles, squishy balls, counting) 2. Talk about the problem 3. Express their own emotions using the emotions thermometer to define the intensity of the emotion 4. Listen and identify the other child’s emotion 5. Think of alternative ways to solve the problem 6. Choose the best plan for problem resolution 7. Follow through with an alternative solution and enact it 8. Revisit the emotions thermometer and identify emotions after the resolution For a successful resolution, children will need to 1. Identify and discern emotions (i.e. knows why he/she is feeling sad versus angry) 2. Express emotion in constructive ways, either verbally or with gestures (such as hugging) 3. Regulate their emotions 4. Talk about the problem at hand 5. Be sensitive and understand the emotions of others |
Mood mirror | Multisensory approach to teach infants and children about different types of feelings Helps to develop self-awareness Support children in identifying and labeling emotions (for children as young as 3 months) Teachers provide comfort or ways to express it in a constructive way |
Emotion thermometer/use gender neutral SheHeMe™ Figuresa | Uniquely designed component of ECSEL, used during heightened emotional states Identify the emotion the child has in the heat of the moment Express the intensity of that emotion Make it easier for children to recognize a particular emotion Learning the words (spelling) for different emotions |
Physiological regulation techniques (breathing exercises, lovies, family pictures, tone and volume, pillows, squishy balls) | External and internal influences to help calm emotions. Children learn To calm/regulate their bodies when experiencing intense emotions Redirect any psychical actions toward peers Independently seek out ways to comfort and regulate themselves Learn different ways to relax |