Page 18 - Cornice Grade 8

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

My Story

l Jayani Pandey l

Life has not always been easy. I grew up as a sin- what I heard growing up. Now as I’m 13, I think
gle child raised by my single mother. I wouldn’t about it. What I’ve been hearing is right. Life
call the decision of my parents to split a bad on- would be different if we all lived together. I would
because I know what could have happened. But meet new people, live somewhere else and god
is this a good or a bad thing for me? I don’t know. knows what would happen. Even today, I cover
Did I thought this would impact me in any way? myself with a blanket as I try to sleep. Tears swell
Not at all. Of course, as a little child, I did not my eyes as they roll down my cheeks. Not be-
care. I was like every other little girl, playful and cause I want to live with my father but because I
loved by all. A huge smile always ran wonder what it feels like to live with both parents
across my face. under the same roof as other kids. I love my
life and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’ve
As time passed, I was getting older. met so many amazing and supportive peo-
I was the same playful girl loved ple along the way and I’m grateful for every-
by all but things had changed. thing that life has given me. All of the emo-
Not all things were the same tional and social change I have
anymore. I started looking at gone through has made me
things from a different per- who I am today. I am strong
spective. I could tell apart the and I’m proud of myself.
right and wrong. I started get-
ting independent. I started Now with the introduction of
questioning myself. Most social and emotional learning
importantly, I was going which is an approach that teaches
through social and emo- individuals of all ages, es-
tional change. My mom has pecially children how to
always been with me. She understand their emotions,
stood beside me through feel them and express them,
thick and thin. I’m 13 soon it has given me an opportunity
to be 14, and throughout these to open up and speak about my
years of my life, I’ve gotten feelings. As mental health is be-
closer with her. She under- coming a serious issue around
stands me like no other and Image source: https://similarpng.com/ the world day by day mainly for
I’m so lucky to have a mother beautiful-young-mother-and-baby-on- teenagers, it is extremely impor-
like her. She means the world transparent-background-png/ tant to talk to someone. Some-
to me and I wouldn’t replace her with anyone. one you trust and someone that will help you
Maybe if I lived with my father, things would be cope. SEL is just that. Each session has taught
different. I would be living a different life with me something new. We listen to each other’s
different people. problems and share our own. Being able to open
up to someone without the fear of being judged
“Whatever is meant to happen will happen and feels amazing. SEL sessions should be continued
whatever happens, happens for good.” This was as it is having a positive impact on our lives.