Social Emotional Learning & Mindfulness

“My son informed me when he got home today that he learned in mindfulness about self awareness. If I could reach out and hug you through email I would!! Thanks for making my boy so happy!!”

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary 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.

CBA takes a holistic approach to preparing our students for success in life by incorporating mindfulness and yoga into our curriculum. Numerous studies show that with regular practice, mindfulness helps to improve attention spans, regulate emotions, improve self-compassion, and reduce anxiety. Margaret Meyers, director of enrollment management, is a certified instructor with Mindful Schools, an organization devoted to training educators and parents in the practice of mindfulness, developed the school’s mindfulness program that incorporates techniques including meditation, breath work and mind-body awareness.

In addition to mindfulness, students benefit from social skills classes taught by our school counselor, Traci Haly who works regularly with students to help them develop the social skills and coping strategies needed to optimize their academic learning.  Every week, Traci teaches social skills class to lower schoolers and community building class for all middle schoolers. Traci also offers voluntary lunch clubs at the middle and upper school levels, which enhance the skills taught in these classes.

Students also have the opportunity to further develop their social skills thanks to a partnership with Social Butterflies, students can attend weekly “lunch bunch” groups onsite at CBA.