Pathways to Wellness: Conceptualizing Culturally Responsive Social-Emotional Learning for Indigenous Children

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Addressing Culturally and Linguistically Responsive SEL in Schools (Table 3)

Abstract

Developing a culturally responsive social-emotional learning (SEL) that highlights Indigenous community’s cultural strengths is essential to ensure educational equity. Guided by transformative SEL and Cultural Adaptation lens, this study examined the conceptualization of culturally responsive SEL program for K-2 Indigenous students. We conducted thematic analyses of the initial eight meetings, as the meetings provided insight into the team’s iterative co-adaptation process. The results showed three major themes: 1) centering Indigenous cultural and physical landscapes, 2) integrating Indigenous language, stories and metaphors into SEL, and 3) balancing between physical and emotional well-being. Overall, our study advances the literature on culturally responsive SEL for young children in Indigenous communities.

Authors

• Sisilia Novena Kusumaningsih, University of Montana - Missoula

• Jingjing Sun, University of Montana

• Deborah Ith, University of Montana - Missoula