At the recent EdWeek Conference, it was noted that most attendees were looking into incorporating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into more programs and material. But what is Social-Emotional Learning, and why are schools incorporating it into more of their materials?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Social-Emotional Learning by uncovering what it is, how schools approach it, and what its future looks like.
What Is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) can be defined as the methodology aiding learners of all backgrounds and ages with:
Comprehending emotions
Feeling emotions fully
Demonstrating empathy
The primary goal behind SEL is to help children make responsible and positive decisions in efforts to build positive relationships with others and create a framework for achieving their goals.
Why Is SEL Important?
As an educator, it is ideal to be able to find common ground with students who are struggling to grasp a particular subject matter in order to help give them better direction. The hope is that when students encounter less interesting subjects, teachers can approach them in a way that can relay the value of why a lesson may be of value later in life.
Much of the emotion involved in learning is covered through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Through SEL practices, educators can uncover constructive ways of guiding students through handling their feelings and dealing with one another in a positive and respectful manner.
SEL and Diversification
In today’s world, diversification is the norm. Students gather, whether it be in person or online, holding different belief systems from various social and economic backgrounds, all offering individualized capabilities. With the help of SEL, students can view one another from an equal playing field, putting aside any differences they might initially encounter.
SEL can help learners become more self-aware, leading to a deeper understanding of their thoughts and emotions. A result is a group of students who exhibit more developed empathy for their community.
Benefits of SEL
In addition to helping students in the learning environment, it’s clear to see that SEL can be beneficial outside of the classroom as well. The benefits of SEL are vast but include the following:
Social-awareness
Self-awareness
Increased productivity
Expanded learning potential
5 Competencies of SEL
Helping to achieve positive outcomes for students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade is an organization known as Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). According to CASEL, there are five primary competencies of Social-Emotional Learning that include making responsible decisions, relationship skills, social awareness, self-management, and self-awareness.
Making Responsible Decisions
Learning behaviors that will help you decide how to act or respond to a situation, that include:
The well-being of yourself and others
Weighing consequences
Safety
Ethics
Relationship Skills
Building and maintaining healthy relationships with individuals from diverse background ranges, which includes:
Knowing when to offer help
Knowing when to ask for help
Resolving conflict peacefully
Communicating effectively with others
Listening skills
Social Awareness
Putting yourself in the position of someone outside of your everyday culture or background. Ethical actions and empathy play a pivotal role in social awareness, whether it be within your community, school, or home.
Self-Management
In various settings, having the courage to take full control and ownership of your actions, emotions, and thoughts. Using these skills to then work toward your bigger goals in school and in life.
Self-Awareness
Being able to identify and acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses in order to gain confidence in your capabilities as an individual. Part of self-awareness is recognizing your emotions and their ability to change your behaviors.
How Schools Are Incorporating SEL
Although SEL can be rather complex, it can rather easily be integrated into a school’s curriculum. It may not have a presence like other designated subjects, such as math or history, but it is equally as valuable of a lesson.
As an added bonus, students may be less likely to mentally check out during their subjects and more inclined to participate when educators make academic lessons more personal and relatable to students, which is the building block of SEL.
Examples of SEL in the Classroom
Not surprisingly, many classrooms are already integrating SEL methodologies - some without even knowing it. Here are a few examples of SEL in the classroom you may have already heard of or may be interested in bringing into your learning space.
Morning Check-Ins
Each morning have your students start their day off with the right intentions. Have a mindful morning check-in that reminds them to do the following:
List 3 things you are grateful for
Name 2 things you can see around you
Take 1 deep breath
Social-Emotional Posters
Having Social-Emotional posters around the classroom helps provide key reminders to students and can help build students’ vocabulary. Find posters that help promote positive self-talk.
Calm Down Corners
Create a cozy atmosphere in a corner that allows students to come to wind down if they need to calm themselves from being angry or upset. Think zen and try to provide a few different activities for them in these spaces.
ryco.io’s Work with SEL
Here at ryco.io, it’s no secret that we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of education and the latest trends. That’s why, it should come as no surprise that we’ve already begun work within the SEL sector of education.
We have recently worked with a client to create SEL decodable readers. In following the five competencies of SEL, we worked collaboratively with our client to create state-of-the-art materials that are not only educational but effective!
Final Thoughts
The primary focus of any educator should be to assist the future generation in meeting and exceeding their fullest potential. One of the ways the education space is evolving to help teachers reach these heights is through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
Through SEL, educators can promote positive decision-making in the classroom for students, as well as later in life, while showing empathy for those around them. These tools are critical as classrooms become increasingly more diversified, as does the world around us.
Comments