BUILDING EMPATHY, RESILIENCE, AND COMMUNITY
FROM THE START
In Lower School, social-emotional learning (SEL) is both taught explicitly and woven seamlessly into daily school life.
| From classroom lessons to recess conversations, students practice the skills they need to grow into kind, confident, and self-aware learners. |
SEL instruction includes role-play, stories, class discussions, mindfulness, and collaborative problem-solving. These approaches help students understand their emotions, navigate relationships, and develop empathy and communication skills. Lessons grow with them, each year introducing age-appropriate concepts that are revisited and deepened over time.
We also introduce key topics like digital citizenship, character development, executive functioning, and personal safety. In fourth grade, students take part in thoughtful, developmentally appropriate lessons on puberty and health.
At Open Window, SEL is foundational to our program. It shapes how students show up, support one another, and take ownership of their learning and growth.
Learn more about Student Support
