Without Assumptions: Development of a Socio-Emotional Learning Framework That Reflects Community Values in Cameroon
Frontiers
Two Rabbits works with the indigenous Baka community in Cameroon, specifically focused on early childhood care and development. The organization uses IDELA to measure children's learning and development but found that the SEL domain did not fit their cultural context. Using a quick ethnography methodology and an emic approach, a researcher team comprised mainly of Baka community members engaged parents, teachers, and others in iterative cycles of data collection, analysis, and reflection to develop the framework and assessments for social and emotional learning (SEL). The resulting Baka SEL framework includes skills and domains distinct from predominant SEL frameworks, underscoring the importance of drawing SEL priorities from communities themselves.