SEGi College Sarawak held the “Nurturing Hearts: Cultivating Children’s Social and Emotional Growth” programme to address the mental health challenges faced by over 424,000 Malaysian children today. This impactful event focused on equipping educators and parents with essential social and emotional learning (SEL) strategies to foster resilience and empathy in young children. Attendees, including parents and SEGi students from the Faculty of Education and Social Science, were given insights into the critical role of SEL in shaping emotionally healthy and balanced individuals.
Led by Amber Chin from the Little Humans Community, who holds a degree in Early Childhood Studies from York St. John University, the event highlighted the importance of skills like emotional regulation, empathy, and effective communication. Through hands-on activities such as the “Challenge Yourself to Label Feelings” crossword and “Tell Us How You Feel Today,” participants learned practical ways to help children identify and express a range of emotions beyond basic feelings.
The interactive session not only encouraged greater understanding of emotional health but also demonstrated how SEL can lead to better academic and social outcomes, as supported by UNICEF’s findings on the impact of strong social-emotional skills (source: UNICEF). A lively Q&A session concluded the event, allowing participants to explore practical applications of SEL in everyday life with Chin, who provided valuable strategies for supporting young children’s mental well-being.
By hosting “Nurturing Hearts,” SEGi College Sarawak has reinforced its dedication to addressing pressing mental health needs and supporting Malaysia’s future generation. The programme emphasises SEGi’s commitment to nurturing emotionally intelligent young minds, aligning closely with global goals for mental health and quality education.
This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals