A new approach to social and emotional learning

As the year turns over to 2023 in the IL lame duck session of the General Assembly house legislators proposed the amendment that all sex education teachings be MANDATED in all public schools. The rules prior to this proposal were that school boards can opt out of this teaching standard of which 544 districts out of the 853 which is a 63.7% opt out rate. This amendment clearly goes against the constituents of this state's elected board members and IASB has now called for support to defeat this amendment “PLEASE ACT NOW to contact your state senator to encourage them to VOTE NO on House Bill 5188, as amended. The full language of the amendment can be found on the General Assembly website.”IASB Call-To-Action (Defeat HB 5188) | IASB

The national sex education standard is littered with left wing extreme groups that wish to present this subject to kids as early as kindergarten. Most kindergarteners are more focused on potty training than sexual functions. Groups like SIECUS SIECUS Releases New Report on Attacks Against Comprehensive Sex Education - SIECUS that promote “age appropriate” learning then turn around and say “it's hateful” when state legislators across the country place limits. This shame game has indeed been very successful in swaying public opinion if the content isn’t well known.

The phrase “social and emotional learning” is garnering the attention of most academics all the way to the PTA groups across the State and the Nation. When did this begin, “In 1968, Dr. James Comer and his colleagues at Yale University’s Child Study Center began a program to put their ideas about supporting the “whole child” into practice at two schools in New Haven, Connecticut. By the early 1980s, the two schools saw a decline in behavior challenges and exceeded the national average in academic performance” Our History - CASEL. What does this mean for us raising kids today?

My opinion is that this new proposal is directed in this genre of education. My question is: Does sex constitute social and emotional learning for children? What is the appropriate age to have this discussion with our kids? (Whether it's school or most importantly at the kitchen table). The Washington Post wrote in December of 2022 that the crisis of student mental health is much vaster than we realize The crisis of student mental health is much vaster than we realize - The Washington Post. One lesson I believe that is missing is one of persistence, facing adversity, focus and faith.

These traits are all bundled into a great book called: From the Barrio by Dr. Robert Renteria. This story describes Dr. Renteria’s struggles in East L.A. but it really is talking about most of our family problems and how to overcome them to become positive contributors to society regardless of where we are from, what we look like or who we love. Perhaps if these are implemented early in a child’s development the teaching of sexual education going into young adulthood can be more effective and truly “age appropriate” learning.