FriendZi’s: Piloting a Game-Based SEL Curriculum for Elementary Student Engagement and Emotional Development

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 7:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Implementing Interventions in Social Emotional Learning

Abstract

This qualitative pilot study examined the implementation and impact of a game and character based social and emotional learning curriculum for 4th grade students known as FriendZis. 21 students, aged 9 to 10 years old received the curriculum under the guidance of their teacher and facilitators. Thematic analysis of focus group interviews with students, the teacher, and principal suggest that FriendZis provided innovative ways of engaging students through play and character-based tools, fostering emotional insight and impulse control. The teacher emphasized the importance in program delivery of relational trust, developmental alignment, and instructional adaptability. Students demonstrated noteworthy early signs of social emotional skill uptake. Challenges such as time constraints and curricular demands were also noted, highlighting systemic barriers to deeper integration.

Authors

• Manisha Naresh Nagpal, Duquesne University

• Sophia Shieh, Duquesne University

• Michael Maryniak, Duquesne University

• Anthony Carbone, Independent Researcher

• Kara Carola, Independent Researcher