What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

What is Social-emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a developmental process that assists individuals in acquiring skills such as self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal abilities. It is a strengths-based process that begins at birth and continues throughout life. SEL is beneficial for both children and adults, helping them cope with everyday challenges, benefit academically, professionally, and socially, and develop positive behaviors.

• Self-awareness: This involves understanding one's emotions, thoughts, and values, and how they influence behavior.
• Self-management: This involves taking control of thoughts, emotions, and actions.
• Social awareness: This involves putting oneself in the shoes of others.
• Empathy: This involves feeling and showing empathy for others.
• Positive decisions: This involves making positive, responsible decisions.

How is SEL incorporated into the classroom?

Social-emotional learning can be incorporated into the classroom in various ways. These include starting the day with a student check-in, creating opportunities for partner and group work, nurturing a culture of kindness, building social-emotional vocabulary, including reflective writing, incorporating a “calm-down corner,” allowing time for talking, and teaching mindfulness.

What are the benefits of SEL?

SEL can promote young people's academic success, health, and well-being. It can also help prevent problems such as alcohol and drug use, violence, truancy, and bullying. People with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially.

What are the stages of learning social-emotional skills?

The three stages of learning social-emotional skills are: Skill acquisition, where the child is introduced to the skill; Fluency, where the child has learned the skill and can use it easily; and Skill maintenance and generalization, where the child can use the skill over time and in new situations.

What research supports SEL?

Research shows that SEL skills can be taught by regular classroom teachers to students of every background. James Comer's research, which focused on student behavioral issues and the exclusion of school procedures that exacerbated those problems, contributed to SEL theory.

What are some specific topics that schools often teach in SEL?

Some specific topics that schools often teach in SEL include identifying feelings, considering other people's perspectives, and brainstorming solutions to problems.

How does SEL support healthy relationships and development throughout life?

SEL theory helps people develop self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for success at school, work, and in life. It supports healthy relationships and development throughout life by helping individuals manage complex emotions, navigate social situations, build strong relationships, and develop empathetic worldviews.