Social-Emotional Learning Through Chocolate

Marshmallows and pretzels dipped in milk and white chocolate lined the wax paper cascading down two cafeteria tables at Brown Elementary School. “Remember to take turns and share with your neighbor,” said Ms. Fletcher, one of the Operation Shoestring Project Rise teachers.

The kids from youngest to oldest were all engaged in dipping and anxiously waiting for their chocolate molds to harden around their sweet treats.

At first glance, this might seem like only a fun Friday activity. However, there are some very crucial lessons being taught here.

Learning to share, take turns, appropriately interact, and effectively communicate with others are all vital lessons to the social-emotional well-being of our kids.

According to an article on edsource.org, “…with a new understanding about the value of social-emotional learning, there’s a unique opportunity to build on the synergy between the school day and after-school and summer programs at other times – a synergy that gives students consistent supports and opportunities all day and all year long.”

As afterschool programs strive to reinforce the school day lessons, creating plans for children to learn to properly engage their peers is essential. Programs, like Operation Shoestring, have more flexibility to allow for in-depth learning. Our kids are able to dive deeper into the topics that interest them and have more chances to express themselves creatively.

Our goal is to expose the kids we serve to a myriad of opportunities to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

We all rise together.