Social-emotional learning is essential for student success, and at Lighthouse Community Charter School, social skills groups for students in elementary grades, facilitated by Certified Wellness Coaches, are making a measurable difference. These groups provide students with a safe space to explore emotions, practice communication, and develop strategies for navigating social and academic challenges. Wellness Coaches certified in "Personalized Emotional Tooklits" support students in developing individualized toolkits of coping strategies tailored to their needs. Some learn to pause and breathe when frustrated, others practice positive self-talk, and many discover how to ask for help confidently. These strategies empower students to manage emotions and respond thoughtfully in a variety of settings.
Engaging Strategies: Safe Spaces and Kimochis: The success of social skills groups relies on creating a safe, supportive environment. Students are encouraged to share without judgment and reminded that mistakes are part of learning. Weekly lessons are connected to real-life situations, helping students see the relevance of the skills they’re practicing.
Many groups also incorporate Kimochis, a hands-on emotional learning tool that uses characters and props to help students identify and express feelings. Students have responded enthusiastically, finding it easier to talk about emotions and practice empathy with peers. For some, Kimochis’ characters act as a bridge, allowing them to verbalize feelings they may not have been able to express otherwise.
Certified Wellness Coaches guide these activities, modeling emotional regulation and helping students apply strategies from their skills group at school and home. This combination of coaching and tangible tools makes social-emotional learning both engaging and practical.
Real-Life Impact: A parent recently shared how her child’s participation in a social skills group led to noticeable changes both at home and at school. The child looked forward to each session and began applying tools learned such as regulating emotions and communicating effectively.
“It’s amazing to see how these skills show up outside of the group.” - Lighthouse Parent
Growing a Culture of Emotional Awareness: The benefits of social skills groups extend beyond individual participants. One student’s excitement about the group encouraged friends to join after hearing about the positive experience.
“He told his friends how fun and helpful the group was and soon others wanted to participate too.” - Gladys Roseby, Certified Wellness Coach
This schoolwide impact shows how emotional learning can influence school culture, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience across the student body. At Lighthouse, social skills groups led by Wellness Coaches help students build confidence, self-awareness, and emotional awareness and regulation. By offering practical strategies for managing emotions and fostering positive relationships, these programs empower students to thrive academically, socially, and personally—both in the classroom and beyond.
To learn more about Certified Wellness Coaches, click here.
To learn about Kimochi’s, click here..
Engaging Strategies: Safe Spaces and Kimochis: The success of social skills groups relies on creating a safe, supportive environment. Students are encouraged to share without judgment and reminded that mistakes are part of learning. Weekly lessons are connected to real-life situations, helping students see the relevance of the skills they’re practicing.
Many groups also incorporate Kimochis, a hands-on emotional learning tool that uses characters and props to help students identify and express feelings. Students have responded enthusiastically, finding it easier to talk about emotions and practice empathy with peers. For some, Kimochis’ characters act as a bridge, allowing them to verbalize feelings they may not have been able to express otherwise.
Certified Wellness Coaches guide these activities, modeling emotional regulation and helping students apply strategies from their skills group at school and home. This combination of coaching and tangible tools makes social-emotional learning both engaging and practical.
Real-Life Impact: A parent recently shared how her child’s participation in a social skills group led to noticeable changes both at home and at school. The child looked forward to each session and began applying tools learned such as regulating emotions and communicating effectively.
“It’s amazing to see how these skills show up outside of the group.” - Lighthouse Parent
Growing a Culture of Emotional Awareness: The benefits of social skills groups extend beyond individual participants. One student’s excitement about the group encouraged friends to join after hearing about the positive experience.
“He told his friends how fun and helpful the group was and soon others wanted to participate too.” - Gladys Roseby, Certified Wellness Coach
This schoolwide impact shows how emotional learning can influence school culture, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience across the student body. At Lighthouse, social skills groups led by Wellness Coaches help students build confidence, self-awareness, and emotional awareness and regulation. By offering practical strategies for managing emotions and fostering positive relationships, these programs empower students to thrive academically, socially, and personally—both in the classroom and beyond.
To learn more about Certified Wellness Coaches, click here.
To learn about Kimochi’s, click here..
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Blog by: Devina Brooks, Director of School Partnerships
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