Resources

From Wellness in the Schools in New York City. Provider of food, nutrition and teaching skills and physical education to schools in several states.

Location: New York, NYPosted: April 7, 2020Source: Wellness in the Schools

From a list curated by SEL4US.org, a national network of state-based SEL collaborations.

Location: BostonPosted: May 13, 2020Source: Harvard Medical School

Pediatrician and WholeHealthED leader Dr. Larry Rosen discusses working through isolation and practicing gratitude in the time of COVID-19. Link to YouTube Video

Location: Oradell, NJPosted: March 25, 2020Source: Whole Child CenterWatch Video

"Children need factual, age appropriate information about the potential seriousness of disease risk and concrete instruction ... Teaching positive preventive measures, talking about their fears, and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help reduce anxiety." PDF

Location: Bethesda, MDPosted: February 20, 2020Source: NASP

For adults: Listen, be aware of one's own anxiety, age appropriate and accurate information, create actions, provide structure.

Location: Waltham, MAPosted: March 19, 2020Source: Education Development Cetner

An audio recording by NPR education reporter Cory Turner. Plus an illustrated graphic that can be folded into a print resource; versions also in Chinese and Spanish. AUDIO

Location: Washington, DCPosted: February 28, 2020Source: National Public Radio

The WSCC model's traditional that calls for greater alignment, integration, and collaboration between education and health is seriously amplified by the current outbreak of the coronavirus, making the need for this alignment all the more pressing. This articles notes the particular importance of supporting a school's social and emotional climate.

Location: Alexandria, VAPosted: March 13, 2020Source: ASCD Inservice

CDC's Schools Decision Tool for 2020.

Location: Atlanta, GAPosted: May 15, 2020Source: CDC

Guidance on maintaining essential garden capacity and resources, including links to related resources: "Outdoor Spaces Are Essential Assets for School Districts’ COVID-19 Response Across the USA"

Location: Santa Cruz, CAPosted: April 15, 2020Source: LifeLab

Guidance on leadership and resilience among a compiled selection of firsthand guidance from school leaders and health and safety experts to help educators coordinate initiatives and attend to school well-being issues.

Location: Alexandria, VAPosted: March 13, 2020Source: ASCD

Interview with Psychologist Scott Greenspan: Research has focused on the integration of physical activity within school-based mental health programs as well as gender-affirming school-based interventions for sexual minority and gender-diverse youth

Location: Cambridge, MAPosted: June 10, 2020Source: Mad in America

Making the Nature-Mental Health Connection: National leaders Gail Christopher (National Collaborative for Health Equity); Kim Moore Bailey, (Youth Outside) and Tyler Norris, (Well Being Trust) emphasize the science showing nature's affects that yield a sense of calm and offset stress; reduce anxiety and depression, and improve resilience.

Location: Washington, DCPosted: May 4, 2020Source: Grantmakers in Health

Launched in June 2020, the Initiative has been convening a series of working groups to further develop and share the factors important to outdoor learning over the summer. The groups create frameworks, strategies, and guidance to share with school districts across the country.

Location: Berkeley, CASPosted: June 4, 2020Source: Green Schoolyards America

Children's National Medical Center in Washington offers a simple summary for mindfulness practices that will support its families who may be new to breathing and other practices but whose anxiety and concern for their own children have been compounded by COVID.

Location: Washington, DCPosted: July 28, 2020Source: Children's National Medical Center

Green Schoolyards and UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science in California creating national alliance for outdoor classrooms and learning. "Getting kids outdoors, not for 10 minutes, not for a half an hour, but for whole school days whenever possible."

Location: Washington, DCPosted: August 3, 2020Source: PBS

As you prepare to reopen and renew your school community From CASEL - Applying the principles of SEL to self-care and resilience strategies when welcoming back families and staffs to in-school schedules as they unfold in the fall of 2020. [PDF ]

Location: Chicago, ILPosted: May 22, 2020Source: CASEL

The AAP recommends that educators accept the loss of academic time as students return to school. "It is also critical to maintain a balanced curriculum with continued physical education and other learning experiences rather than an exclusive emphasis on core subject areas."

Location: Itasca, IlPosted: May 5, 2020Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

A compendium of resources and podcasts created by the America Institutes for Research this year that address discrete aspects of supporting children through the pandemic Includes SEL, mental health and home learning guidances, the "Science of Safe, Supportive Learning at Home," and "Needs of Students with Disabilities."

Location: Washington, DCPosted: May 21, 2020Source: American Institutes for Research

An online public forum held on June 4, 2020; hosted by Green Schoolyards America, The Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley), San Mateo County Office of Education, and Ten Strands. A rich repository of content that includes the video and slides of the day's presentations.

Location: Berkeley, CAPosted: June 4, 2020Source: Green Schoolyards America

Guidance for School Re-entry: An expansion of the May 5th guidance. Retaining essential recommendations for children to be in school, safely: applying "other learning experiences" in the early weeks and months of return.

Location: Itasca, ILPosted: June 25, 2020Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

A Systematic Review: 700 scientific papers and letters and 47 full texts: Children mostly had social contacts with peers or parents, rather than older people at risk of severe disease. They "account for a small fraction of COVID-19 cases ... Opening up schools and kindergartens is unlikely to impact COVID-19 mortality rates in older people."

Location: Stockholm, SwedenPosted: May 15, 2020Source: Acta Paediatrica

This TFAH policy brief "Beyond School Walls"reviews steps the federal and state governments have taken to ensure students’ access to healthy meals when schools are closed, plus what needs to be done to ensure continued meal access as all school systems face uncertainties about how to safely reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. (Link to PDF)

Location: Washington, DCPosted: Source: Trust for America's Health

Guidance from sites across the US for distance teaching resources, outdoor classrooms, garden access: care and harvest. Also calendar of webinar gatherings and courses.

Location: USAPosted: Source: School Garden Support Organization

Developed by the National Academies, this resources is designed to help districts and schools successfully navigate the complex decisions around reopening school buildings, keeping them open, and operating them safely.

Location: Washington, DCPosted: Source: National Academies

A National Survey: More than one in four parents reported worsening mental health, and one in seven reported worsening behavioral health for their children since coronavirus began to spread in March. About 10% reported that both parent and child were affected.

Location: Itasca, ILPosted: July 24, 2020Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Garden Management, Themes, Sustainability, Curricula, Evaluation, Research & Publications, Supporting State And National Organizations.

Location: GeorgiaPosted: May 21, 2020Source: University of Georgia Extension

Resources For School Garden Networks In California And Arizona. Note Also FUNDING Programs.

Location: CA And AZPosted: May 20, 2020Source: Western Growers Assn.

Linda Novick O’Keefe, CEO of CommonThreads.org covers the results of extended experience with mindfulness programs in schools in San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Baltimore as they have expanded since the mid-2000s.

Location: USAPosted: February 27, 2017Source: Huffington Post

Just as the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading in the US, this article noted the need for mind-body "tools to be widely integrated into primary and secondary education."

Location: Waltham, MAPosted: April 9, 2020Source: New England Journal of Medicine

National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health, NCCIH at the NIH summarizes the use of yoga by children and adolescents, which its national survey show has increased in recent years.

Location: Bethesda, MDPosted: February 11, 2020Source: NCCIH

Integrative pediatrician and WholeHealthED partner Dr. Lawrence Rosen describes how breath work "can help children feel grounded both emotionally and physically:" influencing the nervous system to lower heart rate and to sync the breath and heartbeat.

Location: USAPosted: May 15, 2020Source: Thrive Global

Dr. Richard Davidson, Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides examples of mindfulness-based interventions for children. Link to YouTube Video

Location: Bethesda, MDPosted: August 9, 2018Source: NCCIHWatch Video

Northeastern U. researcher Chuck Hillman highlights growing evidence of biological impact of exercise for growing kids: "The prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus of physically fit children are better developed than those of less fit children."

Location: New York, NYPosted: February 21, 2018Source: Hechinger Report

K-12 Physical Education, Health Education, and Physical Activity - An issuu online book reader view of a comprehensive set of recommendations for developing PE and physical activities in schools during 2020 re-openings.

Location: Champaigne, ILPosted: June 17, 2020Source: SHAPE America

With Psychologist Scott Greenspan: Research on the integration of physical activity within school-based mental health programs; gender-affirming school-based interventions for sexual minority and gender-diverse youth.

Location: Cambridge, MAPosted: June 10, 2020Source: Mad in America

A research brief of scientific articles assessing how physical activity and fitness can maximize academic performance and their effects on the developing brain.

Location: Boston, MAPosted: January 15, 2015Source: Active Living Research

A systematic literature review -- The potential acute and chronic effects of cardio and non-cardio exercise on a broad range of functions in children with ADHD. Cardio exercise acutely beneficial for various executive functions:impulsivity and attention and behavior. Non-cardio results "seem predominantly positive."

Location: Vienna, AUSPosted: July 11, 2016Source: Journal of Neural Transmission

Report of a meeting of 35 stakeholders (policy, commercial education, teachers, researchers) discussed priorities for physically active learning (PAL). Main themes identified: opportunities in the schools; delivery environments; learning approaches; intensity of the program.

Location: Shanghai, CHPosted: May 5, 2019Source: Journal of Sport and Health Science

An investigation into the association between sports participation and mental health in children ages 6–11. Existing literature demonstrates an association in adolescents and adults, but does not extend to children under age 12 years. Child sports participation could be an effective early intervention for at-risk children.

Location: Washington, DCPosted: October 11, 2020Source: Child & Adolescent Psychology

Identifications of promising outcomes from Nature Based Learning for children's learning and developing. Sets framework for future research agenda.

Location: LausannePosted: April 22, 2019Source: Frontiers in Psychology

Early assessment of the influence of "Green School" designation on student achievement in mandated testing; grades 5, 8. Further studies recommended for socioeconomic status and teacher certification.

Location: Towson, MDPosted: December 8, 2014Source: Applied Environmetal Ed & Comm

A compilation of statements from the APHA from 2000 supporting nature-based policies including building a Public Health Infrastructure for Physical Activity Promotion.

Location: Washington DCPosted: November 5, 2013Source: American Public Health Assn.

Summaries of immersive outdoor curricula in K-12, touching on emerging forest kindergarten and grade school programs that continue to grow in New England and around the country.

Location: USAPosted: December 31, 2015Source: Hechinger Report

From David Sobel a leader in nature-based dearly childhood education. He recounts the Forest Days all-day kindergarten in Vermont and its growth and influence.

Location: USAPosted: September 13, 2017Source: Green Schools National Network

Building on the importance of play as cited by the AAP, this article combines views of research in public health, psychology and urban and environmental studies. "Play is engaging and social, helping children learn new skills as well as how to get along with others and manage their own desires and emotions."

Location: Cranbury, NJPosted: March 13, 2020Source: Contemporary Pediatrics

Research-based short notes that illustrate how even brief encounters can have positive health effects, even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. While championing much easier access, TPL notes, "Parks will be central to our recovery—but too many people don’t have access."

Location: Washington, DCPosted: April 14, 2020Source: Trust for Public Land

As part of its annual American Fitness Index the American College of Sports Medicine includes the importance of parks, recreation facilities-- playgrounds, tennis courts and swimming pools -- as essential assets to support physical and mental health, and support civic, social and economic strength. (And links in the U.S. National Public Wellness Infrastructure.)

Location: Indianapolis, INPosted: June 26, 2020Source: American College of Sports Medicine

A description of this innovative and free downloadable high school curriculum from JHU's Center for a Livable Future. www.foodspanlearning.org

Location: Baltimore, MDPosted: Source: The Baltimore Sun

Article and video at the time health-care clinics and counselors began using cooking or baking as therapy tools for people suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental-health problems. Contemporaneous as kitchen skills were being introduced in many schools.

Location: New York, NYPosted: December 8, 2014Source: Wall St. Journal

This systematic review examines the research evidence regarding the influence of cooking interventions on psychosocial outcomes.

Location: CaliforniaPosted: November 9, 2017Source: Health Education Behaviors

A review that "suggests that integration with the academic curriculum and school lunch program may be potential avenues to explore for improving the longevity and success of the cooking programs." From Current Developments in Nutrition.

Location: Bethesda, MDPosted: April 26, 2020Source: NCBI

A "National Agenda" co-produced by CDC, NCCIH based on the failure of U.S. health policy to pursue 2009 recommendations to increase support for children's "MEB" health. A product of the NCCIH workshop of June 2018 (next).

Location: Washington, DCPosted: September 11, 2019Source: National Academies

NCCIH hosted a “Pediatric Complementary and Integrative Health” workshop to explore research opportunities and gaps in its research portfolio related to its strategic objectives for managing pain and fostering health promotion and disease prevention.

Location: Bethesda, MDPosted: August 15, 2018Source: NCCIH

Describes 15-20 years' of research that show the cumulative effects of negative Social Determinants of Health across generations and particularly on children. "Social disadvantages in childhood—such as chronic stress—can lead to health disadvantages in adulthood."

Location: Posted: August 1, 2014Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Describes the Resilience in School Environments (RISE) program, an assessment tool that schools and districts can use to assess how climate and the conditions influence students’ and staff members’ mental wellness. On-site and virtual resources will focus on the social and emotional health of both. The program plans to reach 25,000 schools by 2023.

Location: Posted: December 12, 2019Source: Education Dive

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Roadmap for Reopening Schools: Guidance for SEL integration of academic, physical and mental health, cognitive development, and overall well-being in ways that complement the strengths of each. Contributions from 40 partner organizations.

Location: Chicago, ILPosted: Source: CASEL

Recommendations from the National Commission on Social, Emotional & Academic Development. A massive two-year collaboration, with contributions from throughout the national SEL community; and organized by the Aspen Institute.

Location: Aspen, COPosted: January 15, 2019Source: Aspen Institute

The Collaborating Districts Initiative (CDI) has been a multiyear effort to help school districts integrate social and emotional learning across all aspects of their work. This report describes what districts did, shares what we have learned, and previews how we intend to scale these insights to many more districts. PDF

Location: ChicagoPosted: June 15, 2017Source: CASEL

Creating a Well-Rounded Educational Experience: Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning, is AIR's free online course designed as an introduction to social and emotional learning (SEL) for educators who endeavor to create a well-rounded educational experience.

Location: Washington, DCPosted: March 24, 2020Source: American Institutes for Research

Then CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Risa Lavizzo-Mourey MD reports on prevention initiatives around the nation that began expanding from healthcare approaches focusing "narrowly on treating medical conditions after they occur."

Location: Washington DCPosted: May 30, 2012Source: The Atlantic

2,000 school-based health centers operate nationwide. Most are open every day school is in session (National Assembly on School-Based Health Care). Some 20% are funded through the HRSA Health Center Program.

Location: Bethesda, MDPosted: May 16, 2017Source: HRSA

A New Approach for Improving Educational Attainment and Healthy Development for Students: Background on the formation of the WSCC model developed by CDC and ASCD evolving from the "coordinated school health" model.

Location: Kent, OHPosted: November 1, 2015Source: Journal of School Health

The Building Community Resilience Model: To "foster collaboration across child health, public health, and community-based agencies to address the root causes of toxic stress and childhood adversity and to build community resilience."

Location: Washington DCPosted: October 14, 2017Source: Academic Pediatrics

Review of state statutes aligned with the WSCC model. Status of each state available. "Even for states that have broad and deep coverage, there is little integration between domains and (WSCC) topic areas." Update from first assessment, September 2017.

Location: Washington, DCPosted: June 27, 2019Source: Child Trends

A look at the work of Steven Cole, professor of medicine and psychiatry and a genomics researcher at UCLA who has spent several decades investigating the connection between emotion and biology. The article reports that his team of researchers "have found that happiness may be linked to the function of immune cells."

Location: Washington DCPosted: February 10, 2015Source: The Atlantic

Steve Downs, former CTO at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation prescribes designing into the "OS" of the culture technology that consciously seeks to optimize health and well-being through reinvented transportation, the food experience, the work experience, urban planning and architecture. 1st of 3.

Location: USAPosted: September 20, 2017Source: Tincture.io

Report from a Roundtable meeting in which NCCIH, the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) and other NIH centers, looked at issues in developing, testing, and implementing intervention strategies to promote emotional well-being.

Location: Bethesda MDPosted: April 4, 2018Source: NCCIH

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), in collaboration with other National Institutes of Health (NIH) institutes, centers. Focus: issues in developing, testing, and implementing intervention strategies to promote emotional well-being.

Location: Bethesda, MDPosted: April 3, 2018Source: NCCIH

A National Agenda: Over the last decade research has significantly strengthened understanding of healthy mental, emotional, and behavioral (MEB) development. Ten years after first MEB recommendations the nation still is not effectively mitigating risks for poor outcomes in children; risks that remain prevalent.

Location: Washington, DCPosted: September 11, 2019Source: National Academies

WholeHealthED's Call-to-Action from the leadership team. A summary of WholeHealthED's work into first quarter of 2020 in the context of its public health and K-12 rationale and framework and emergence of COVID-19. This Journal version article is available as open-access until mid-August 2020.

Location: New York, NYPosted: July 1, 2020Source: EXPLORE