Family SEALa HomeSchool Collaborative Programme Focusing on the Development of Children's Social and Emotional Skills

Abstract

The Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme has been developed in England to enhance social and emotional competence and well-being in schools. As part of the SEAL programme, Family SEAL seeks to engage parents as partners in this process. Seven primary schools in Dorset, a local authority in the South of England, implemented Family SEAL in a pilot project during 20072008. Both class teachers and parents reported post-programme gains in children's social and emotional competence, and significant gains were reported for those children who had previously been identified as a cause for concern in their social and emotional development. Parents gave limited qualitative evidence of the impact of Family SEAL in the home. The implications for Family SEAL as a means of improving emotional well-being are discussed.