Use the CASEL framework of SEL to comment analytically on the child’s social and emotional learning profile

A generic template to help you analyse your case studies

Analytical commentary objectives

What does this objective ask me to do in simple words?

What do I need to do to address this objective?

• Use the CASEL framework of SEL to comment analytically on the child’s social and emotional learning profile (suggested word count: up to 300 - 400 words):
  • The analysis of your commentary should focus on identifying some of the social and emotional areas and skills presented in the CASEL framework that you think the child should be supported to develop. Once you identify these skills, find at least one reference to explain how the development of these skills is linked to positive outcomes in children and/or young people.

What is the issue with the child’s social and learning profile?

*The content of the first two weeks of the module is highly important for this step as it provides me with the foundation to understand SEL and the CASEL framework.

Here, I need to study the CASEL framework and understand its principles. Then, I need to use the CASEL framework to help me analyse the child’s SEL profile and then write a critical commentary of the child’s profile.  To do that I need to identify some of the social and emotional areas that the child would benefit from strengthening. First, I will look at the child’s behaviour as it is described in the case study. Then, I will use the CASEL framework to identify those areas. For instance, if the child is aggressive, what areas of SEL presented in the CASEL does the child find challenging? After identifying the area, I need to provide some information about it. For instance, if the area is emotional regulation, I need to use the literature to explain what emotional regulation is and why it is important.

• Comment on some of the factors that have potentially influenced the child’s social and emotional learning profile (suggested word count: up to 300 - 400 words):
  •  First, identify one or two factors, for instance family, parenting, peers, disability, teacher-child relationship. Once you identify the factors, use the literature to explain why and how these factors could have influenced the child’s social and emotional learning.

What could interfere in the child’s social and emotional learning and why?

*The content of week 3 and 4 of the module is highly relevant for this step as it provides me with the foundation to understand what child characteristics and/or aspects of the environment may contribute to SEL.

Here, I need to review the literature and my notes from the lectures/seminars to identify one or two child or/and environmental factors, for instance child temperament, disability, family, parenting, peers, teacher-child relationship that may be contributing to shaping the child’s SEL profile. I can also think of the different theories that influence SEL, for instance social-learning theory, attachment theory etc. Once I identify these factors, I need to explain why and how these factors could have contribute to the child’s SEL. I need to use the literature to do this and always use a logical explanation.

• Comment on what type of intervention approach or strategy would benefit the child and why (suggested word count: up to 300 - 400 words):
  • To answer this question, you can consider the following questions: What are some ways to support the social and emotional learning of the child? What type of intervention or teaching strategy could benefit the child and why, for instance, targeted, universal, parenting support? Support your choice with evidence/literature.

What to do - solutions and recommendations.

*The content of week 6 and 7 of the module is highly relevant for this step as it provides me with the foundation to understand what child characteristics and/or aspects of the environment may contribute to SEL.

To address this objective, I need to first review the literature on interventions and teaching strategies for SEL to help me understand what they aim to achieve and then identify which ones we could consider for the children in the case studies. I can also consider the following to help me develop my answer: What types of intervention/strategies/approaches could benefit the child and why, for instance, targeted, universal, parenting and/or school- based support? Once I choose an intervention/strategy/approach I need to provide a brief description of it and an explanation of why it would be appropriate. The explanation must be based on literature/academic resources/research.