CHARLEVOIX COUNTY - Charlevoix Public Schools opened a new social-emotional learning library Thursday at Charlevoix Elementary to help students work on developmental skills. The resource is designed to provide students with tools to manage their emotions both inside and outside the classroom.
The library contains sensory tools, interactive games, and books intended to help students handle topics such as anxiety and friendships. The project began as a small book donation but expanded into a larger collection following significant interest from the community.
The project originated with a specific donation of social-emotional books. As community interest grew, the school expanded the collection to include more diverse tools and resources, such as educational games, mental health resources, and literature that addresses various social issues. Charlevoix educators described the progression from a small set of materials to a broad school-wide initiative.
“It started really small with a big donation of some social-emotional books, and then the next year, it just kept growing as we had interest and became the tools and additional,” Charlevoix Public Schools Psychologist Alecia Ahles-Moore said. “So it really started very small and became a big initiative.”
The collection is divided between physical items and literature. Sensory tools such as fidgets and other objects are available to help students with behavioral needs, while the books serve as a starting point for discussions about complex emotions.
“The sensory library tool is full of different objects and fidgets and supports that they can use to help with those sensory needs and those behavioral needs,” said kindergarten teacher at Charlevoix Elementary Ericka Mitchell. “Then we have the library, which can help start that conversation and maybe help guide a student by talking about their feelings or maybe some bigger issues and anxiety and friendships and things like that.”
Teachers use these resources to help students manage their focus during the school day. While some tools are used consistently over long periods, others are designed for short intervals to help students regulate their behavior after feeling overwhelmed.
“Some tools are meant to be used throughout their day over a long period of time,” Ahles-Moore said. “And then others are just like maybe once or twice a day, a quick reset, and then you’re ready to go regulated for the rest of your day.”
The initiative reflects a broader educational philosophy at the school that prioritizes life skills alongside traditional academics. Educators emphasized that understanding personal emotions early in life helps students build a foundation for long-term success.
“What we’re seeing is here at school, we have the opportunity to help educate not just students on academic topics but on different topics that are going on in their lives,” Mitchell said. “We want to make sure that we are helping build the whole child.”
School leaders said the library will continue to grow as more resources are added to the collection in the future.