This study was designed to provide a Utilization-focused preliminary evaluation of a social emotional learning (SEL) curricula that promotes healthy life skill practices, physical activity (PA) and mindfulness training. The Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) in Baltimore, MD offers an evidence-based SEL trauma-informed curricula, with several peer reviewed articles demonstrating its initial efficacy (Ancona, et al., 2014; Dariotis, et al., 2016a; Dariotis, et al., 2016b; Feagans Gould, et al., 2014; Klusmann, et al., 2023; Mendelson, et al., 2010; Mendelson, et al., 2013; Mendelson, et al., 2016; Semple, et al., 2017). The goal of the present study is to better understand how this program developed, participant outcomes, what makes this program successful and to identify challenges and opportunities for expanding it, aiding in dissemination of SEL curricula more globally.Institutions committed to teaching through SEL techniques, bring together a community of learners that are taught the importance of focusing attention, exploring how to calm a wandering mind and offer tools to empower physical, mental, and emotional health. The HLF leadership are experts at bringing education and wellness to communities starved for greater wellbeing that they initiate through breathwork, stress reduction yoga, and SEL skills of positive youth development (PYD). Teaching children self-regulation methods contributes to their understanding of how to manage emotions and physical processes that affect wellbeing. Silent reflection meditation and mindfulness practices change the structure of the brain, training the mind to focus on breathing, helping to calm the parasympathetic nervous system supporting physical mental and emotional regulation (HeartMath Institute, 2024; Holistic Life Foundation, 2024; Hrach, 2021; Raes, et al., 2013). Through this deep breathing focused mindful process, self-regulation of the physical body is a learned essential tool for wellness. It allows for a pause, helping us to examine what is really happening instead of the stories we may be telling ourselves. Results have also shown that those participating in SEL self-regulation practices have a greater ability to resolve conflict and manage emotions, while systemically integrating the ability to learn and communicate more effectively, a translation of life skills (Pierce, et al., 2017). The present evaluation was designed to contribute to the knowledge base through: (1) offering teachers information on how an SEL curricula can easily be incorporated into their daily lesson plans, with demonstrated efficacy, through research literature and, (2) connecting practical guidance in support of child development to traditions of mindfulness that have long been used in support of self-regulation. The success of the HLF program is connected to the firm grounding its founders have in the philosophy that drives them. Through greater understanding of self and others, SEL research demonstrates enhanced cooperation and communication that leads to self-realization and community harmonization. The Utilization-focused evaluation framework provided a methodological structure to conduct interviews, assess curricular materials, review contextual data and provide an analysis. Interviews provided immediate feedback, both explicit and implicit, on the strengths and challenges associated with the HLF program. The evaluation results offer insight on strengths, challenges, opportunities and next steps in scaling the curriculum more globally. It provides insight into how the program was developed, what exactly the curricula consists of (e.g., three curricula and three programs that support youth development), and how it is delivered (e.g., in schools, community centers, meeting people where they are), how it is received by students, and what challenges the program administrators and implementers face in its original development. The evaluation was conducted over two years, the findings show preliminary outcomes obtained through teaching of self-regulatory techniques. The significance demonstrated improvements in stress reduction and enhanced emotional and behavioral responses, utilizing coping techniques.
Read
