Social Emotional Learning

Research shows that SEL not only improves achievement by an average of 11 percentile points, but it also increases prosocial behaviors (such as kindness, sharing, and empathy), improves student attitudes toward school and reduces depression and stress among students (Durlak et al., 2011). Mindfulness, a cornerstone of social emotional learning, was shown to improve reactive behaviors and aggression for students who displayed significant behavioral and emotional difficulties (Anderson, 2017). Additionally, SEL improves students' ability to better respond to the effects of trauma by providing them with the necessary skills to cope with negative emotions (Gunn, 2021). 

• Self-awareness – To recognize your emotions and how they impact your behavior; acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses to better gain confidence in your abilities.

• Self-management – To take control and ownership of your thoughts, emotions, and actions in various situations, as well as setting and working toward goals. 

• Social awareness – The ability to put yourself in the shoes of another person who may be from a different background or culture from the one you grew up with. To act with empathy and in an ethical manner within your home, school, and community. 

• Relationship skills – The ability to build and maintain healthy relationships with people from a diverse range of backgrounds. This competency focuses on listening to and being able to communicate with others, peacefully resolving conflict, and knowing when to ask for or offer help.

• Making responsible decisions – Choosing how to act or respond to a situation based on learned behaviors such as ethics, safety, weighing consequences and the well-being of others, as well as yourself. 

(CASEL, 2021)

Social emotional learning is the process through which people develop interpersonal and self management skills that enable them to improve their self image, the quality of their relationships, and lead overall healthier and more fulfilling lives.