This week, the Counseling Program at GHCDS delivered its first Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lesson of the year for our Lower School students. SEL is the process through which children develop essential skills for understanding and managing emotions, building healthy relationships, making responsible decisions, and showing empathy for others. These skills form the foundation for success not only in school, but also in life.
At GHCDS, we believe SEL is just as important as academic learning. By teaching students how to recognize and regulate their feelings, communicate effectively, and solve problems peacefully, we help them grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals.
During this first lesson, our first graders explored the concept of identifying emotions in fun and creative ways. For example, Zion Martinez ’36 used Play-Doh to practice recognizing and expressing different feelings—a hands-on activity that makes abstract ideas concrete and accessible for young learners.
Through activities like these, our Panthers learn that understanding themselves and others is key to building a strong, supportive community. At GHCDS, SEL is more than a lesson—it’s part of who we are.
