SPARK’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and It’s Benefits

1. SPARK’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Its Benefits What is SPARK SEL? At The SPARK Initiative, we believe that SEL is a key ingredient to uncover resilience and unleash potential in everyone. Imagine trying to drive a car with no understanding of the gas pedal, breaks, indicators, steering wheels, windshield wipers, etc. You would quite literally wreck! The same is true when we try to navigate life with no understanding of how our own mind or how our experience is being created. With no understanding, we can easily end up in an emotional (and maybe physical) wreck. When we understand how our mental and emotional systems are working, we may still end up in wreck, but we’ll navigate through it much better, pull out of it quicker, and avoid it in the future. Our brand of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is based on a foundational understanding of the human mind and how it creates our experiences. When we understand how something works, it’s much easier to operate. To do this, we guide students and educators in gaining insights into several questions, some of which include: Does everybody have a SPARK, or built-in resilience? Or is there such thing as a broken, ‘hopeless’ case? Where do feelings come from (100% of the time)? What is going on when I feel stuck or frustrated? How does my state of mind affect my capacity make decisions, problem-solve, and interact with others? How is it possible for the same situation/person to be so difficult one day and so easy the next? How does thought create 7.8 billion separate realities on planet Earth? Are all equally valid? What are the implications of the power of thought on diversity, equity, and inclusion? What is going on in our mind when we feel compassion or empathy?

2. What are the benefits of SPARK SEL? As direct implementers of the SPARK Mentoring Programs, our hearts are touched everyday by the impact our programs have on children and youth in traditional schools, alternative schools, juvenile justice facilities, drug rehabilitators centers, and other social service settings like foster care and safe houses. Our research has shown that students who complete our mentoring programs experience an increase in mental well-being, resilience, compassion for control, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. A summary of these results in below: others, as well as increased impulse Statistically significant positive changes of students exposed to SPARK Mentoring Programs Ages 8- 10 Ages 10- 13 Ages 13-18 Mental well-being and understanding of how the mind works 91% 85% 71% Less difficulty in regulating emotions (impulse control) 83% 69% 72% Communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills 89% 78% 67% Resilience (compassion for others) in tough circumstances 91% 78% 66% Resilience (bounce back) from tough circumstances 91% 78% 66% We are delighted that the impact we see every day has been researched and validated. Our teen program has met the rigorous standards of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), resulting in its inclusion in the CASEL guide as a Promising Program. Our other programs are in the process of review for inclusion in the guide. In addition to our inclusion in the CASEL guide, the impact of our mentoring programs has been published in Psychology in the Schools and Journal of Primary Prevention. To hear and feel the quantitative evidence weekly #FindYourSpark podcast. To download free sample lessons or sign-up for a tour of our platform, click here! of our impact, tune into the