FRC Postdoctoral Research Associate Rachel Jackson-Gordon and FRC Director Jacinda Dariotis are leading a new project that explores how exposure to nature, music and mindful movement can serve as early childhood stress-coping strategies. By promoting emotional regulation, the project aims to prevent disruptive behaviors in early childhood that predict violent behaviors as children age.
The project includes FRC Collaboratory affiliates Lynda Gibson, Jenna Riis and Bill Sullivan as co-investigators and is funded by the Research Scholar Initiative from the Institute for Government and Public Affairs.
Despite having general guidelines for social-emotional learning (SEL), the Illinois State Board of Education and Head Start lack specific curricular or evidence-based program recommendations. The new study will focus on creating positive behavioral trajectories early in life by providing policy recommendations for early childhood SEL, teacher preparation programs and community greenspace.
“We look forward to connecting the dots between evidence-based SEL programs for young children and their potential for violence prevention planning,” said Jackson-Gordon.
Read the full press release from the Institute for Government and Public Affairs.