We live in a diverse world, full of people who look different from each other, believe in different things, and have different customs and abilities. This book dives into the important social and emotional learning skill of appreciating diversity, which is a part of the larger core concept of social awareness. Readers will learn how to recognize, accept, and celebrate the differences between themselves and others. Vivid full-color photographs, engaging text, and relatable situations will allow readers to connect deeply with the subject. Readers will learn how to apply this appreciation for diversity to everyday life and become engaged, accepting citizens of the world.

A critique of the American obsession with diversity argues that we are ignoring the ever-widening economic divide in American society, that diversity has created a false notion of social justice, and that we need to emphasize equality over diversity.

Sometimes making the right decision is terribly difficult. This guidebook teaches readers how to consider different sides of a situation before making a decision. Readers will gain a deep understanding of the social and emotional learning skill of analyzing situations, which plays a key part in the core concept of responsible decision making. This book combines colorful photographs with accessible text to help readers discover useful tools for a variety of familiar situations. Readers gain a greater understanding of how to look at situations with a fresh perspective and how to solve the problems that arise in everyday life.

The Greek philosopher Socrates famously declared, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Reflection is a vital element of an examined life. Even for students, reflecting on situations and their own thoughts and feelings can lead to meaningful connections, greater self-awareness, and stronger decision-making skills. Readers will find a guide to healthy reflection. Primary sources provide powerful examples of reflection in action. Photographs and descriptions of familiar situations remind students that they can reflect on their own thoughts and feelings every day.

It's impossible to know exactly what other people are thinking, but if a person has perspective, it can be much easier to have an idea of those thoughts. This volume introduces students to the idea of perspective-taking, or seeing things from another person's point of view. Students will learn that perspective-taking can help them build better relationships with friends and family. They will be better able to resolve conflicts if they're thinking about the other person's thoughts and feelings. They'll develop more empathy for people who have different experiences. This book shows students that through perspective-taking, they'll begin to better understand and accept people who are different from themselves.

As the number of ways people share information grows and adapts, knowing how to communicate effectively becomes more important. With this useful book, young readers will learn more about the different ways people communicate and how to get their thoughts and feelings across in a productive and skillful fashion. Important concepts such as the role of listening, key differences in written and spoken communication, and the importance of nonverbal cues will help students gain a better understanding of these valuable ideas in an age-appropriate way.

Think before you act is common and useful advice that we don't always follow. In order to learn more about other people, we need to be sure we don't jump to conclusions before they've had their chance to finish speaking. Readers will learn that respect for others goes beyond face-to-face situations. People need to have respect for others even if they're not around. Respect for others falls under the broader social and emotional learning category of social awareness. Respectful people can think about situations from other people's perspectives and empathize with them. Give your readers empowering and friendly instruction on becoming a respectful person with an awareness for others.

One of the most exciting parts of growing up is taking on new responsibilities, but responsibility can be confusing, overwhelming, and even a bit scary. Navigating ethical responsibility can be especially challenging for young people because of the complicated nature of moral decision making. This guidebook demystifies ethical responsibility, helping readers recognize, interpret, and act on moral principles. Through realistic examples, readers will learn how to make sense of ethical dilemmas and develop solutions even when situations are complex. By learning how to be ethically responsible, readers will develop a greater sense of well-being, both for themselves and for others.

As children grow up, they learn to exercise greater independence in decision making and problem solving. The first step in either process is identification. Being able to name and understand a problem can illuminate possible solutions and set the problem-solving process in motion. This book provides tips and simple steps that readers can take to identify problems and overcome obstacles. Real-world examples, colorful photographs, and clear descriptions will inspire and empower young readers to become active problem solvers.

From the time we're born, we have relationships with others. We often trust the person or people who care for us because they make us feel good and safe. Readers will learn that trust and openness can help them establish emotional connections with people for the rest of their lives. They'll learn that developing give-and-take relationships will build better friendships. They'll be able to better relate to others, which will make others want to build relationships with them. Through concrete examples and self-analysis, students will discover how to positively connect with others, which will help them discover more about themselves.