In recent years, people have become more worried about students’ mental well-being. By enhancing students’ social and emotional skills and resilience, they can potentially achieve better academic performance and be happier. Man Man, a Primary 5 student, used to feel lonely and scared to make friends because of her past experience. Her school, Bishop Walsh Primary School, joined our “Integrating Social and Emotional Learning into School” (ISEL), which enhances children’s social-emotional competencies through tailored materials integrated into their regular classes
After 10 months of learning, Man Man slowly started feeling less lonely and found it easier to enjoy her time at school.
ISEL programme brings social-emotional learning to school campus
Save the Children Hong Kong and Side by Side bring the ISEL programme to primary schools. The programme teaches students social-emotional learning, which will be integrated into their regular classes, allowing students to learn the 5 core social-emontional competencies, that it can ultimately enhance their mental health and resilience.
Farewell to gloominess, enjoying school life
Man Man, a Primary 5 student, said, “I used to be so lonely. I would hide myself, because I remember my classmates teased me in kindergarten.” When she recalled the past, she could not help but look anxious. Her mother, Cass, said that Man Man used to have nightmares in which everything was dark. In her dream, she was trapped in a dark room and she had to defend herself from the monster. Cass admitted that she was worried and helpless, and had no idea how to help her daughter.
The ISEL programme allows students to learn the 5 social-emotional core competencies, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, helping them engage in school life. In the lessons, Man Man learned to actively express her thoughts, communicate with her family more, and become more cheerful. Now, she has made friends and is happier than ever. Her mum, Cass, was happy to see that Man Man had come out of her low mood and learning to enjoy her school life.
Learning to make responsible decisions, helping students face growth challenges
Learning to make responsible decisions is an important part of the programme. When Man Man felt anxious about her upcoming exam results, she turned to a special tool introduced in her ISEL class: the decision-making bag. Following the guidance provided, she carefully went through each step – identifying the issue, reflecting on it, reaching out for assistance, weighing the possible outcomes, and finally, making a thoughtful decision. She said with confidence, “Sometimes you can observe what your classmates are doing, and if you learn a little bit every day, you’ll be invincible someday.”
Cass, as a mom, is relieved to see that her daughter has a clear plan, “I think she is a big girl now, and I’m glad she is making progress. At first, I was worried about how much longer I would have to protect her. Now I feel relieved that I don’t have to worry about her even when she goes to secondary school.”
Principal delighted with the impact of the ISEL Programme
Principal Lo of Bishop Walsh Primary School emphasised the uniqueness of the ISEL programme compared to other programmes. She highlighted that this programme stands out by offering students consistent social-emotional lessons within their regular class schedule on campus.
Principal Lo said, “The project is in-depth and comprehensive. Through instructors’ observation, understanding, guidance in the classroom, students are able to make significant progress and grow.” She also shared that the programme is convenient for school administration as it is held during regular school lessons, and it brings rich resources for schools to promote social-emotional learning.
Principal Lo highly recommended the programme, and given sufficient resources, she would certainly like to extend the programme to Primary 1. She said, “children nowadays are very mature, but not all of them know how to express themselves. They need to be aware of their own emotions and manage stress.”