What is Social Emotional and Character Development – SECD?

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What is SECD?

Ask any parent, and they will tell you that the values of integrity and the ability to stand on their own two feet are some of the most important things they want for their child’s future. They want children to learn to manage their emotions, build positive relationships and navigate social situations with ease both in career and real life.

SECD, Social, Emotional and Character Development – is an an essential form of education to help raise children into adults who are caring, responsible and contributing and thrive in the real and online worlds.

SECD is a set of skills that involve the capacity to develop self awareness, recognize and regulate emotions, become resilient to failures, and think like a problem solver. In addition to developing a winning personal skill set, children learn to understand emotions in others, collaborate with them while building their negotiating and networking skills. In short, SECD helps children by empowering them with new ways to think, learn and behave.

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Why SECD?

REASON ONE:

In the current environment where children are growing up in both the real and online worlds, SECD seems more relevant than ever before. Families, schools and communities that invest in developing an executable and scalable framework of SECD from prekindergarten through high school can ensure a future where children are much tolerant, don’t rely on drugs and alcohol and stay motivated on a course to their positive goals and life purpose.

REASON TWO: 

Machines that we’re building using our spectacular Science, Math and Engineering skills are dictating how we must think, feel and act. Remember, this was our unique value proposition as humans to begin with – our mind – that can help us think, feel and act and we’re allowing tech distractions to cloud over it. Academic skills like Science and Math are easily replicated, but qualities like empathy, perseverance, courage, commitment and hard work are deeply personal and what makes every human unique.

REASON THREE: 

For some children whether from low income homes where their world is unreliable, and filled with trauma and abuse, or for children from high income families whose parents are busy and their lives are filled with neglect, community places like schools can be the only happy place to be. By ensuring we are equipping them with tools that can help them navigate intimidation, violence and deprivation, we can ensure to build resilient yet happy children who develop the will to live upto their full potential.

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What makes a Whole Child?

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The SECD Skill Set:

Both INSIDE and OUTSIDE of classrooms, the development of life skills help children with these learning objectives:

• Develop Self Confidence and a Positive Outlook
• Prioritize Tasks Without Losing Momentum
• Recognize and Regulate Emotions
• Develop Gratitude
• Learn to Listen First
• Manage Time, Stress and Relationships
• Think Critically and Make Responsible Decisions
• Work Towards Cooperation and Collaboration
• Develop Resilience and Problem Solving

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SECD and the Habits of Success:

Habits of Success “collectively facilitate goal-directed effort (e.g., grit, self-control, growth mindset), healthy social relationships (e.g., gratitude, emotional intelligence, social belonging), and sound judgment and decision making (e.g., curiosity, open-mindedness). Longitudinal research has confirmed such qualities powerfully predict academic, economic, social, psychological, and physical well-being.”

Source: Almlund, Duckworth, Heckman, & Kautz, 2011; Borghans, Duckworth, Heckman, & ter Weel,2008; Farrington et al., 2012; Jackson, Connolly, Garrison, Levin, & Connolly, 2015; Moffitt et al., 2011; Naemi et al., 2012; Yeager & Walton, 2011; Duckworth and Yeager, 2015.

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The Foundation Pillars of SECD: 

Academic development is not the only skill children will need in the real world where people skills like taking the lead, emotional intelligence and a strong moral compass will determine who will shine. So, as parents who want to raise well rounded adults, we have to give them the right tools for their social, emotional and personal character development. Here are the pillars of 6 C’s that can lay a strong foundation. 

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Further Reading:

The Return on Investment on SECD Skills Training.

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