Social emotional learning (SEL) is one of the trendiest topics in education circles today. The focus of SEL is more than just the transfer of knowledge. It is about the holistic development of students and cultivating essential life skills outside of the curriculum and classroom.

But what in the world is social emotional learning or SEL? Let's delve deeper into the fundamentals of SEL and explore the benefits it offers to both students and teachers. We'll also briefly discuss how you can incorporate SEL into your classroom. Keep reading!

TL;DR

Social emotional learning (SEL) is made up of five core competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsibl Decision-Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness.
SEL provides students with a solid foundation for holistic development, fostering well-being, academic excellence, and lifelong success.

SEL programs are equally good for teachers. With SEL skills, teaching becomes easier, they can create a welcoming environment for all students, and better manage their own emotions and stress.
To incorporate SEL into your classroom, you can do various things like starting the day with a student check-in, encouraging role-playing, and creating a "calm-down" corner.

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social emotional learning (SEL) refers to an educational methodology that aims to build social and emotional skills among students, helping them to:

  • Understand and manage their emotions
  • Foster positive relationships
  • Make responsible decisions
  • Exhibit empathy for others
  • Work toward their personal goals

In general, SEL places equal emphasis on social and emotional skills as it does on other subjects like math and science. It equips students of all ages with the abilities that are crucial for success in school, work, and life.
Let's break it down a bit further.

5 Key Components of Social Emotional Learning

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a leader in the field of social emotional learning (SEL). CASEL has outlined 5 core competencies that constitute SEL:
i) Self-Awareness
ii) Self-Management
iii) Responsible Decision-Making
iv) Relationship Skills
v) Social Awareness

Let's examine each SEL component in more detail.
i) Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the first pillar of social emotional learning (SEL). It is about helping students identify their emotions, recognize strengths and needs, and develop a growth mindset.

ii) Self-Management
We as humans are born weak. We all experience emotional stress from time to time. So, self-management is about developing such abilities in students that they can regulate their emotions, impulses, and behaviors.

iii) Social Awareness
This is another core component of SEL. It involves being aware of other people's perspectives, acting with empathy, and respecting diversity.

iv) Relationship Skills
Relationship skills include effective communication, cooperation, conflict resolution, and empathy. These skills enable students to develop healthy relationships with people from various backgrounds.

v) Responsible Decision-Making
It includes making caring and ethical choices while being considerate about your own and other people's well-being. When taught these skills, students feel more confident in evaluating their options and making decisions that are consistent with their values and goals.

Why Students Need Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL or social-emotional learning provides students with a solid foundation to succeed in school, life, and careers. Here are the top 4 reasons why SEL is essential for students:

1) Holistic Development
If you prioritize SEL in your school or classroom setting, this ensures your students are participating in lessons and games that help build self-reflection and consideration of others.
The students learn about themselves, appreciate diversity, and become more responsible through projects, discussions, and role-playing activities that foster an inclusive, positive environment for everyone in school.
That's the beauty of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. These programs provide a holistic approach to teaching and grooming students.

Read the complete article on why students need social-emotional learning and its impact on educators.