Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) entails gaining a deeper understanding of how your mindset can affect your behavior and actions.

When you achieve a deeper understanding of your motivations, drives, and behaviors, you can take steps to develop important emotional and social skills that will help you achieve your goals. But Social Emotional Learning isn’t just about becoming a top student – it’s about succeeding in life.

Social-Emotional Learning programs also enable individuals to gain a deeper understanding of societal norms and of others – which fosters positive interpersonal relationships and benefits society as a whole.

What is Social-Emotional Learning?

Self-control, self-discipline, managing interpersonal relationships, having self-awareness, nurturing healthy relationships, overcoming personal challenges, and being able to problem-solve are all skills that help individuals navigate everyday life.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the framework that helps develop these important life skills. So, in a nutshell, SEL helps students develop these skills to succeed in their lives.

SEL in the Classroom

In a school setting, SEL is delivered in a series of steps.

The teacher usually begins with an explanation of an SEL concept by using social emotional learning teaching tools, like pictures, audio, or written text. Then, the students are instructed to discuss the concept with a peer group or perform a writing task so that they can gain a deeper understanding of the SEL concept. The teacher then revisits and reinforces the SEL concept throughout the week, and may decide to give students assignments that they can work on alongside their parents or guardians. Lastly, the teacher will gauge whether the students understand the SEL concept and re-teach important points where necessary.

The 5 Outcomes of Successful SEL

SEL as a methodology plays a crucial role in helping students achieve success in school, their careers, and in their personal lives because it creates an environment for safe and positive learning.

There are five key skills that SEL programs aim to instill. They are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is being able to understand your emotions, values, and personal goals – it is the cornerstone of SEL. Having self-awareness also means that you can identify your personal strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, and you are generally optimistic about achieving your goals.

To possess a high level of self-awareness, you also need to recognize how feelings, thoughts, and actions are all interconnected.

Self-Management

Self-management requires the right skills and attitudes to effectively regulate your emotions and behaviors, and it pertains to motivation and setting goals.

This includes impulse control, stress management, the ability to delay gratification, and being able to persevere when personal or educational obstacles appear.

Social Awareness

Social awareness requires being able to empathize and feel compassion for other individuals with different cultures or backgrounds and have an acceptance of diverse perspectives.

Achieving social awareness also means that you understand social behavioral norms and that you recognize school, family, and community as important resources and support systems.

Relationship Skills

Relationship skills are what enable you to build and maintain healthy and mutually rewarding relationships and act within social norms.

Relationship skills include active listening and clear communication, cooperation, resolving conflicts appropriately and constructively, seeking help when it’s needed, and resisting negative social pressure.

Responsible Decision-Making

Responsible decision-making entails making informed decisions about your own social interactions and behaviors, and how these decisions attract consequences that can affect every facet of our lives.

Responsible decision-making requires careful consideration of ethical standards, behavioral norms, and the well-being of yourself and others – and then accurately evaluating the possible consequences of your actions and behaviors.

The Benefits of SEL Programs

Studies have revealed that children who participated in SEL programs are better able to regulate their behavior, have more positive social interactions, were more academically proficient, and had fewer problem behaviors.

At school, SEL provides a safe academic and socio-emotional space and gives children the opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills that will help them succeed later on in life.

And when students are informed about responsible decision-making and other emotional skills, the school environment becomes more harmonious and productive.

But children aren’t the only ones who benefit from SEL programs – SEL also supports and improves other social structures like family units and communities as a whole.

In Families

Positive relationships within families form the core of a person’s general well-being, and the skills taught in SEL are specifically designed to improve relationships.

Children and parents benefit from SEL because it fosters mutually positive relationships that are built on social and emotional awareness – this enables children and their parents to form stronger bonds.

In Communities

Acceptance and understanding when it comes to diversity are some of the key elements of SEL. SEL teaches individuals to respect different perspectives, different cultures, and backgrounds.

SEL advocates the “Golden Rule” principle – which means treating others like you want to be treated. This fosters positive social connections, which results in a more positive and harmonious community as a whole.

The Results of Effective SEL

When SEL programs are implemented effectively, the outcomes are astounding. Studies conducted in Hawaii and Chicago have shown that there was a 20% improvement in reading, an 18% improvement in affiliation with good friends, an 51% reduction in bullying, and a 62% reduction in violence.

As classrooms are becoming more inclusive, more multicultural, and more diverse around the globe, implementing SEL programs in schools has never been more important. SEL programs foster safe environments for children to develop the vital skills needed to succeed in life, including empathy and understanding.

When SEL programs are implemented, schools and districts experience improvements in the immediate school climate, student behavior, and academic achievement. SEL also promotes positive behavior and equips students with the skills needed to make healthier life choices.

The ancillary effects of teaching SEL in schools begin with a positive feedback cycle between families, students, and their teachers – and this affects family units and the surrounding community.

SEL enables students to thrive, reduces negative and risk-taking behavior in schools, and strengthens the community – thereby strengthening society as a whole.