1. Creating a Prosocial Learning Environment
Bea Keller-Dupree, Ph.D., LPC, NCC Northeastern State University
Enrichment Counseling & Consultation

2. What is Prosociality? Behaviors intended to benefit another person
Tends to be motivated by empathy and concern for other people
Central to the wellbeing of individuals and groups
Can be LEARNED!

3. What Does Prosociality Include?
Empathy
Gratitude
Effective Communication
And much more!

4. Why Prosociality? Prosocial behavior is linked to character and values
“Character…is a set of abilities or strengths that are very much changeable—entirely malleable, in fact. They are skills you can learn; they are skills you can practice; and they are skills you can teach” (Tough, 2012, p. 59)
“I challenge all our schools to teach character education, to teach good values, and good citizenship” (Former President, Bill Clinton, 1996, State of the Union Address)

5. Empathy
Not about liking or agreeing with someone, but rather seeking to understand their perspective
Help students realize that by helping others, they, too, will have perceived benefits and THAT IS OK!
Help students have more empathy for the circumstances of other people
Point out similarities with another person that may not have been so obvious
Balance discussion of uniqueness with oneness

6. Activity: Talking in Circles
Him/Her Me Us

7. Talking in Circles
Him/Her Me Us

8. Talking in Circles
Him/Her Me Us

10. Positive Relationships
Activity: Board of Directors

11. Team Captain What is a team captain? How are they picked?
Who could you put in your brain as the team captain in your life to help you make hard decisions?

12. Gratitude The ability to recognize the good in one’s life.
People who kept weekly gratitude journals were (a) more active with exercise; (b) more optimistic about the upcoming week; and (c) felt better about their lives (Emmons & McCullough, 2003)
Adolescents who were found more likely to “count their blessings” were also higher in optimism and life satisfaction and lower in negative affect (Froh et al., 2008)

13. Activity: Practicing Gratitude
3 Blessings (aka What Went Well):
Each afternoon, take a few minutes to record 3 things that went well that day and WHY they went well.
Gratitude Letter
Think of someone who has positively impacted your life. In 300 words of less, write your letter of gratitude. Schedule a time to meet up and read it out loud.

15. Effective Communication
Losado Ratio: Maintaining a ratio of positive to negative statements that helps relationships flourish
2.9:1 for companies
5:1 for partnerships
WARNING: 13:1—falls on deaf ears
When do you notice your Losado ratio going down?

16. Know Your Triggers
When we are tired, we are defeated by demons we have previously conquered (Yalom)
That which annoys us in others is often something unresolved in ourselves (Rogers)

17. Active and Constructive Responding
Passive and Constructive
Active and Constructive
How constructive or destructive are your comments?
Passive and Destructive
Active and Destructive
How active or passive are your comments?

18. Active and Constructive Responding
Student: “I got an A in Math!”
You: “Awesome! So proud of you! Tell me what you did to get that A! We should celebrate!”
Passive and Constructive
Active and Constructive
How constructive or destructive are your comments?
Passive and Destructive
Active and Destructive
How active or passive are your comments?

19. Active and Constructive Responding
Student: “I got an A in Math!”
You: “Awesome! You deserve it!”
Passive and Constructive
Active and Constructive
How constructive or destructive are your comments?
Passive and Destructive
Active and Destructive
How active or passive are your comments?

20. Active and Constructive Responding
Student: “I got an A in Math!”
You: “That sounds like right where you should be. I hope you can keep that A in the next semester!”
Passive and Constructive
Active and Constructive
How constructive or destructive are your comments?
Passive and Destructive
Active and Destructive
How active or passive are your comments?

21. Active and Constructive Responding
Student: “I got an A in math!”
You: “Please line up for Art.”
Passive and Constructive
Active and Constructive
How constructive or destructive are your comments?
Passive and Destructive
Active and Destructive
How active or passive are your comments?

22. Responding Active is “involvement” in the conversation.
Usually involves questions (good or bad)
Passive usually involves a statement with little connection to learning more details
Constructive is “encouraging/supportive”
Usually involves affirming the person and speaking to their strengths
Destructive usually involves considering the negative details (the pessimistic tint) or not connecting to the person/story

23. Effective Communication
If your student is confiding a joy in you, be SO grateful to be that person in his/her life. It speaks to the quality of the relationship the student has with you (or desires to have with you!)
Be present. If you are busy, say “Oh my goodness…I am rushing out the door right now but I want to hear all about it. Can I please come find you at recess to hear more? I can’t wait!”

24. 5 Love Languages Understanding the ways in which we communicate love
How we prefer is give love is often how we prefer to receive love
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts

26. --Tying it In--
When we develop character education programs in our classrooms and school communities, it also creates an environment of prosociality.
When we practice what we preach, our students see that prosociality is doable and rewarding.
When we feel good, we “act good” to self and others!

27. Questions or additional information?
NSU:
Private Practice: