Connecting Dance/Movement Therapy and Social Emotional Learning in an Integrated Early Childhood Setting

Author

Katie MonopoliFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-3-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Dr. Meg Chang

Abstract

Students and educators are currently engaging in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) practices across the grade levels amidst an emotional and behavioral crisis effecting many schools. This community engagement project explored the intersection of Dance/Movement Therapy and SEL in a public preschool setting. Movement groups were held based on the SEL concepts in the curriculum to help students embody and understand them. Through movement, play, and props, students were able to express their emotions and connect with one another over the course of four sessions. The research both in literature and practice conducted by the author show the positive impact of movement and play for students’ emotional well-being.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Monopoli, Katie, "Connecting Dance/Movement Therapy and Social Emotional Learning in an Integrated Early Childhood Setting" (2024). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 875.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/875