Friends & Feelings
Opening Fall 2023! Friends & Feelings Community Classroom at Lehrfeld Farm
What is Friends & Feelings?
Friends & Feelings is a grassroots program designed to raise awareness about the importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Friends & Feelings Community Classroom is meant to support all children, ages 6-16 and their family members in the development of Social Emotional Learning skills.
What is Social Emotional Learning?
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success
Update: 4/31/23 We did it! !
Our (6) session ARP study is complete. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of the individuals who participated in this intensive research study by committing their time efforts into developing Social Emotional Learning skills. I appreciate and am excited to dig into the valuable feedback. Now onto writing my thesis!
Update: 3/12/23 Let's do this!
Our ARP study is underway! We had 11 families, comprised of 25 individuals attend our first meeting.
Update: 2/10/23 EXCITING NEWS!
Our Action Research Project (ARP) has been approved by the National University University Institutional Review Board and we are now recruiting participants to participate in a study entitled: Social Emotional Learning through Family Involved Service Learning.
PLEASE READ TO THE BOTTOM TO SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE:
You may be interested in participating in this study if:
Your family would like to learn more about Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Your family is looking for meaningful ways to provide service in our community.
Your family would like to develop social and relationship skills including empathy, compassion, perspective taking, communication, cooperation and resolving conflict.
Your family would like to spend time in a positive and inclusive environment with peers and family members.
To qualify for this study, you must:
Plan to attend with at least one child (age 6-16) and one adult family member
Be available and plan to attend at least 4 of 5 study dates.
(Meetings are tentatively scheduled for Sundays (March 12th, 26th & April 2nd,16th & 23rd) 2-4pm.
Be willing to travel to Lehrfeld Farm, San Martin and/or other nearby locations
Not be heavily involved in other after school extra curricular youth programs (sports, theater, etc.)
Have a desire to learn about and develop SEL skills in a group setting
The Fine Print:
The study will take place during (4-5) 2 hour meetings, over the course of 8 weeks (dates TBD). Total time commitment will be approximately 10 hours, including time for online pre & post study surveys. Data may be collected through observations, interviews, and surveys. Participation in this study is completely voluntary and participants may withdraw at any time. The study will be open to between 20 and 30 participants (5-7 families). Participants identities will be protected. Participants must sign consent/assent forms to participate.
About the Primary Investigator:
Carlie Lehrfeld is a 1st Grade Public School Teacher and owner/operator of Art on the Farm. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning through National University. Her experiences as a human and educator have led her to be a SEL advocate, incorporating many SEL practices across multiple disciplines in both public and private settings. She believes in giving kids tools for dealing with and managing emotions early in life, to help them manage feelings and behaviors throughout their lives.
To participate in this study, please complete this pre-study survey. Space is limited! Enrollment will be closed when study numbers are reached, but no later than Sunday February 26th.
Friends & Feelings views Social Emotional Learning through a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) lens by providing information and opportunities for children and their families to develop and practice SEL through a variety of ways.
Friends & Feelings on Facebook!
Friends & Service is a social club for families aimed at developing Social Emotional Learning Skills alongside peers while providing meaningful service in the community.
Friends & Feelings on Instagram!
Through Participation in community service, children (and adults) can learn and practice important Social Emotional skills such as:
communication & working together
overcoming obstacles
feeling a sense of community
developing empathy
accepting assistance from others
respecting self and others
building positive relationships
This study will be open to all children, ages 6-16, and their family, but particularly for children and families who have not found their "niche." While many children have found their "place" in afterschool community programs, such as sports, theatre, scouting organizations, etc., there are many who have not. The effects of the pandemic on mental health has made it even more difficult for some kids to "put themselves out there" in social situations. Friends & Service is a club designed for children who may be reluctant to participate in extra curricular activities and/or have difficulty with Social Emotional expression or regulation. Parent(s) and other family members participate alongside their child, helping to strengthen relationships and increasing opportunities to practice Social Emotional Learning outside of the home. Contact Carlie lehrfeldfarm@gmail.com to learn more.
