Stories of self:tracking children's identity and wellbeing through the years of school

Abstract

The development of a sense of self is a central concept within social and emotional learning. For example, ideas about strengthening the self are embedded in the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme in UK schools, especially in the 'Good to be me' element. But what is a 'self'? What purpose does it serve? Do we actually experience such a thing as a self or is it more the case that we feel ourselves to be different people, several co-existing selves, in different social contexts