Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Self-Awareness

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Aristotle

What exactly does it mean to know yourself and to have self-awareness?

Self-awareness is the first of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies. Following are a few examples:

-To know what makes you tick

-To know your triggers, so you can support yourself accordingly

-To know and honor your unique needs

-To know what brings you joy and meaning

-To know which people and resources you can count on for strength and inspiration

In the “The Life and Canine Times of Pee Wee and Buddy,” the first kids’ book in a series by Toddford and myself, Pee Wee and Buddy are forced into a new life.

Buddy, only having three legs, has the challenge of walking, and knows his unique needs. He learns that he can count on his new friend, Pee Wee, to be there as they adapt to new surroundings, people, and places.

Pee Wee, in turn, realizes his strengths and gains confidence in knowing that he has Buddy to support him as they stick together and go through their new lives as a close-knit team.

Kids will learn to look inward and realize their needs as well as who will support those needs.

Pee Wee and Buddy, two senior rescue dogs, one with three legs, and the other a low-riding dachshund, represent being true to others and respecting them as they teach each other acceptance and loving-kindness.

“Being self-aware is not the absence of mistakes, but the ability to learn and correct them.” Daniel Chidiac