BE-Self

🌱 Why Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Matters – Starting from Early Childhood 🌱

The BE-SELF Project is dedicated to promoting SEL development across Europe. Today, we’re spotlighting an important study written by some of our project partners – Carla Peixoto, Vera Coelho, and Francisco Machado.

"Associations between Perceived Maternal Acceptance – Rejection and Social and Emotional Competence of Preschool Children."

This research, involving 90 Portuguese preschoolers (ages 54–82 months), reveals:
• Children who perceive more maternal rejection tend to show fewer social skills.
• Older children and those with less educated mothers are more likely to perceive lower maternal warmth.
• Daily expressions of warmth and affection are crucial for nurturing children’s emotional growth.

📖 Read the full study here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004430.2022.2066091

Let’s work together to ensure every child has the emotional tools they need to thrive! 💛



Erasmus+

be-self.nbu.bg/en/project

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.

🌍 Meet our partners, Week 7 | BE-SELF project

As part of the BE-SELF Project, we’re excited to present Narodno Chitalishte “Vazhdenie 2024” – a self-governing cultural and educational community center that blends Bulgarian traditions with a modern role in education and civic life.

Their mission?
To inspire continuous learning, creative expression, and a deep connection to Bulgaria’s history and culture. Through cultural events, educational initiatives, and social programs, they create a vibrant space for all generations to learn, connect, and thrive.

Narodno Chitalishte “Vazhdenie 2024” is chaired Dimitar Petrov, who also serves as Senior Assistant Professor at New Bulgarian University, another BE-SELF project partner. Together, these two organizations form a unique link between cultural heritage and higher education in Bulgaria.

We’re proud to collaborate with them as they foster stronger, more connected communities.

🔗 Learn more: https://vazhdelenie.org



Erasmus+

be-self.nbu.bg/en/project

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.

🌟 As part of our commitment through the BE-SELF Project, we are sharing relevant research that supports our mission of promoting Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools.

🎓 This featured study, with contributions from our Universidade da Maia - UMAIA partners Vera Coelho and Helena Azevedo, explores the positive effects of a 32-week universal SEL intervention in Portuguese elementary schools.

🧠💬 The findings reveal improved emotional well-being, better peer relationships, and increased prosocial behaviours – especially among young boys and girls aged 8–13. Small steps with significant impact!

📚 Dive into the full research here:
🔗 https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132199



Erasmus+

be-self.nbu.bg/en/project

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“, University of Malta.

🌍 Meet our partners, Week 6 | BE-SELF project

We're proud to collaborate with Budapest School, a network of 15 microschools across Hungary! 🏫 With 800 students and over 140 passionate educators, Budapest School is redefining what modern education looks like.

In the BE-SELF Project, Budapest School brings its deep expertise in:
✨ Social Emotional Learning
✨ Personal mentoring systems
✨ Building inclusive, supportive communities

Every child receives individualized support to grow not just academically, but emotionally and socially. Their innovative model prepares students to become self-aware, resilient, and empathetic individuals ready to shape their futures 🌱

Budapest School, along with the other two schools involved in the project, will play a key role by contributing feedback during the design and testing of the digital tool. They will also promote its use, share their experiences, and help disseminate the tool in their respective countries.

Together, we’re building a better, more emotionally intelligent future for education across Europe!

Learn more about our partner: budapestschool.org/en/



Erasmus+

be-self.nbu.bg/en/project

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.

🧠🌍 Inside a SEL Programme: What’s Really Involved?

At the heart of the BE-SELF Project is a clear goal: to equip teachers with the right tools to help children develop essential social and emotional skills.

To support this mission, we’re excited to share an inspiring example from our partners in the EU-SELF Project. They’ve gathered 59 SEL Programmes – available through an interactive map 🗺️.

👧👦 For each programme, you’ll find:
✅ The age group targeted
✅ The social-emotional skills developed
✅ The outcomes and impact

💡 Want to know what a strong SEL programme really looks like? This is the place to start.

👉 Explore the map here: https://euself.nbu.bg/selfdp/good-practices-filtered/null



Erasmus+

be-self.nbu.bg/en/project

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.

🌍 Meet our partners, Week 5 | BE-SELF project

We are proud to introduce Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia (AEGMM) as a key partner in the BE-SELF project! 🌱✨

AEGMM is committed to delivering educational excellence for all, guided by a strong humanist vision and close collaboration with the community. Their mission is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed for further studies, professional success, and full integration into society.

The partner, along with the other two schools, will play a key role by contributing feedback during the design and testing of the digital tool. They will also promote its use, share their experiences, and help disseminate the tool in their respective countries.

Meet the team:
- Pedro Nogueira, assistant principal
- Sónia Soares Lopes, school principal

💬 “A school of ALL for ALL” — that’s the spirit AEGMM brings to BE-SELF!
Together, we are building bridges between education and personal development. 🙌

🌐 Learn more: www.aegmmaia.pt



Erasmus+

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.

🧠💬 What does Social and Emotional Learning look like across Europe for children aged 0 to 7?

Some of our partners – including New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, and Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft. – have explored national differences and similarities in SEL development.

To help put our work into context, we’re referencing findings from the EU-SELF Project, which mapped the state of SEL in 47 European countries and 4 overseas regions. 🌍

📊 The EU-SELF Country Overviews provide a valuable snapshot of SEL policies, practices, and gaps across Europe. A key takeaway? Despite increasing awareness, SEL is still unevenly implemented – and many educators lack the tools and training to support young children’s emotional development.

📘 Check out the full EU-SELF publication here for more insight into the European landscape:
👉https://euself.nbu.bg/documents/5/CountryOverviewBook-EU-Self-20220820-1120-02f584.pdf

Let’s keep working toward stronger, more inclusive SEL practices with BE-SELF! 💪



Erasmus+

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.

🌍 Meet our partners, Week 4 | BE-SELF project

We're proud to introduce another key partner in the – the 121st Comprehensive School “Georgi Izmirliev” in Sofia, Bulgaria!

🏫 With a rich history and a focus on innovation, the school offers full-day, single-shift education from preparatory class to 12th grade. It’s known for its commitment to academic excellence, modern infrastructure, and dedication to holistic student development. Equipped with STEM centers, robotics labs, language programs, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, the school is shaping future-ready learners through modern teaching approaches and a nurturing environment.

121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев" along with the other two schools, will play a key role by contributing feedback during the design and testing of the digital tool. They will also promote its use, share their experiences, and help disseminate the tool in their respective countries.

Meet the team:
Inna Raykova – primary school teacher, Physical Education and Sports
Plamena Nikolova – primary school teacher, Philosophy
Andriyana Nikolova – primary school teacher
Galina Georgieva – primary school teacher
Galina Teneva-Nedeva – director
Tsvetomira Dimitrova – secondary school teacher
Vanesa Mladenova – Physical Education teacher

🔗 Learn more about our partner: www.121su.org/

We’re thrilled to have such a forward-thinking partner helping us empower young minds through the BE-SELF project!



Erasmus+

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.

📚 What is Social and Emotional Learning, and why does it matter?

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is a vital part of education that helps children develop skills for life – like understanding emotions, building healthy relationships, and making responsible decisions. Prioritising SEL means creating supportive environments where students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. SEL supports mental well-being, encourages engagement, and prepares children not just for academic success, but for life outside the classroom. 🌍

📌 That’s why our project focuses on helping schools understand their unique context and giving educators the tools, training, and digital support they need to implement meaningful SEL practices.

🧠 Interested in learning more? Some of our project partners contributed to this insightful article:

🔗 “Social and Emotional Learning in Preschool Settings: A Systematic Map of Systematic Reviews”
👉 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2021.691670/full



Erasmus+

New Bulgarian University, Universidade da Maia - UMAIA, Galileo Progetti Nonprofit Kft., 121 СУ "Георги Измирлиев", Agrupamento de Escolas Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, Budapest School, Интерактивен Учебен Център „Лилия“.