Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Social Awareness

Do you listen to hear, or do you just wait to talk?

Caring about and being motivated to contribute to the well-being of one’s family, friends, school, community, the environment, and the greater good is the basis for social awareness, the third of five Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies.

Listening and observing are the most important elements of social awareness.

Examples of things you can do that can help you become more socially aware and, ultimately, a better leader:

-Understand what it means to listen

-Repeat what was said

-Pay attention to tone of voice

-Watch facial expressions and body language

-Notice the details

In my dad, Toddford’s, and my third book in the Pee Wee and Buddy series, Pee Wee and Buddy have a Visitor, Pee Wee and Buddy have made their move to the country and are adjusting to their new lives.

A new character, Gus, is introduced, and the three dogs get to know each other by asking about each other’s lives as well as listening and being kind to one another as they form new friendships.

Gus, a working cattle dog, lives a much different life than Pee Wee and Buddy. He is interested in how the two senior rescue dogs manage to take naps, go inside the house for a snack, and basically just do whatever they choose.

Gus listens to Pee Wee and Buddy with genuine interest, and then Pee Wee and Buddy ask questions about Gus and how he spends his days.

Gus feels welcomed by the two rescue dogs and has not been treated so kindly where he came from.

Although from very different backgrounds, Pee Wee, Buddy, and Gus find that they make fast friends and are now a team of three.

“Attract what you expect,

Reflect what you desire,

Become what you respect,

Mirror what you admire.”