I recently conducted a workshop on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for teachers, aiming to provide them with support in their interactions with children. During the workshop, I emphasized the importance of teaching SEL competencies as a foundation for child development. This notion reminded me of Vasily Sukhomlinsky’s book, “The School of Joy,[1]” where he highlights the significance of teachers cultivating emotional connections with their students. Sukhomlinsky argues that emotional culture is an essential aspect of pedagogical culture, and fostering multifaceted relationships with children is crucial for a teacher’s growth.
This concept resonated with me, prompting me to incorporate Toshiro Kanamori’s documentary, “Children Full of Life [2],” into the workshop.
I chose Kanamori’s documentary because I believe his approach to SEL offers valuable guidance for educators seeking to nurture these skills in their students, enabling them to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, emphasizing empathy and compassion, and prioritizing SEL alongside academic learning, educators can help students develop the necessary 21st-century skills for success in school and beyond.
I had the opportunity to meet Kanamori in the Netherlands through an invitation from Marcel van Herpen, an expert, author, and lecturer in Pedagogical Tact, leadership, and sustainable education. Marcel had visited Kanamori in Japan and described him as a philosopher and socio-historical freethinker with a powerful human vision. Kanamori’s ultimate goal was to teach children how to find happiness together. Marcel shared an excerpt from the documentary in which Kanamori deals with a disciplinary situation involving a student named Yuto. The class rebels against Kanamori’s decision to exclude Yuto from a group activity, highlighting the importance of empathy and solidarity. The emotional exchange between Kanamori and his students demonstrates the lasting impact of his teaching.
As the teachers watched the documentary during the workshop, they were deeply moved. When asked about their emotions, they shared personal reflections related to their own upbringings. Some expressed how they had learned to suppress their emotions, while others revealed their regret at not having been able to express themselves or stand up for themselves in the past. This realization led them to understand the significance of building relationships with children and the importance of actively listening to their thoughts and feelings.
Kanamori’s approach to SEL emphasizes the significance of building strong relationships among students, teachers, and parents. He believed that by fostering a sense of community and belonging, students would feel safe, supported, and motivated to learn. His work has shown that when students feel a sense of belonging and are surrounded by caring adults who support them, they are more likely to develop the emotional intelligence and resilience needed for academic and lifelong success.
Kanamori encouraged students to consider the perspectives and feelings of others, fostering a deep sense of care and responsibility for their classmates and community. Through his teaching, Kanamori demonstrated that when students learn to understand and respect others’ perspectives and feelings, they are better equipped to collaborate, communicate effectively, and creatively solve problems.
To prepare students for success in the 21st century, educators must prioritize SEL and help students develop the necessary skills to thrive in today’s world.
As a lifelong learner, I believe it is essential for teachers to embrace continuous growth in their professional journey as educators.
Personally, I have been studying Bob Proctor’s “Thinking into Results” program under the guidance of Myrtille Brookson, a tax lawyer, businesswoman, and mindset coach. This program is designed to help individuals achieve their goals and improve their lives by transforming their thoughts and beliefs.
During the workshop, I briefly shared my personal journey and the importance of personal development through coaching with Myrtille.
While Proctor’s program and SEL, including Kanamori’s approach, are distinct in their focus on personal mindset and social-emotional development, there are areas of overlap.
- Bob Proctor’s program emphasizes the power of positive thinking, visualization, goal setting, and taking action to create desired outcomes. It focuses on reprogramming the subconscious mind to align with one’s goals and aspirations, leading to personal and professional success. Personal (mindset) coaching helps individuals overcome limiting beliefs and develop a mindset for success.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an educational approach aimed at developing students’ social and emotional competencies. It focuses on teaching skills such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. SEL programs are typically implemented in schools and educational settings to support students’ emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, and academic success.
- Kanamori, known for his emphasis on fostering empathy, compassion, and cooperation among students, highlights the importance of social connections and emotional well-being in the learning process. His approach to education centers on creating a caring and supportive classroom environment where students learn from and support each other.
While Proctor’s program focuses more on personal mindset and goal achievement, SEL and Kanamori’s approach concentrate on social and emotional development within an educational context. SEL and Kanamori aim to equip individuals, particularly students, with the skills and abilities needed to navigate relationships, understand emotions, and make responsible decisions.
Introducing children to the principles of personal mindset and goal achievement can be considered part of the competencies encompassed by social-emotional learning (SEL). SEL recognizes the importance of nurturing the social, emotional, and cognitive skills of individuals, including students, to help them succeed in various aspects of life.
In the 21st century, education has expanded its focus beyond traditional academic subjects to include the development of 21st-century skills. These skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, adaptability, and social and emotional skills. Prioritizing SEL alongside academic learning is crucial for developing these skills.
By integrating SEL into educational curricula, schools aim to provide students with the tools they need to navigate relationships, manage emotions, set and achieve goals, and develop a positive mindset. These skills contribute to personal growth, resilience, and well-being, which are essential for success in various aspects of life.
Additionally, SEL helps create a positive classroom environment where students feel supported, valued, and empowered. It fosters a sense of belonging, empathy, and respect, enhancing learning outcomes and contributing to positive mindset development.
During my conversations with Myrtille Brookson, I asked her to reflect on SEL and her personal development coaching. She shared, “I like to think of myself as the (re)connecting link between a person and their inner being, namely their ‘true self.’ There is perfection inside every one of us, and we just need to become aware of it. As a mindset and personal development coach, it is my passion to help people discover who they really are, unlocking their full potential. This is important for adults, but even more so for children! We can help children develop a better mindset from an early age, instead of having to undo resistant conditioning later in life. The earlier we have access to powerful information about ourselves, the more we can develop and live the life of our dreams. When we add a powerful process to achieve any goals to this equation, it becomes clear that success is within reach!”
Part 4 continues.
[1] https://theholisticeducator.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/School-of-Joy.pdf
[2] Inspirational Japanese Documentary: Children Full of Life – YouTube