Social-Emotional Learning: Why Schools Need to Implement It

The ‘official’ definition of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as given by CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) is:
"The process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions."

What does this mean in simple terms?

SEL can be broken down into the acquisition of five core skills:

1. Self-Awareness: The ability to recognize and understand our own emotions.

2. Self-Management: The ability to regulate our emotions in different situations and organize ourselves to finish a task.

3. Social Awareness: The ability to empathize with and take the perspective of others.

4. Responsible Decision-Making: The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety, and social norms.

5. Relationship Skills: The ability to establish and maintain relationships with diverse groups and individuals.

Why should schools implement SEL?

Children spend a huge chunk of their growing years in school. It's where they learn to build relationships with people, experience academic growth, and cultivate emotional intelligence. If they’re unable to learn these skills during their formative years, it hinders their development into full-fledged, independent members of society.

Plus, a lot of evidence from neuroscience and education illustrates the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools and the positive impact it has on the students.

Impact of SEL on At-Risk Youth

Dr. Christina Cipriano, Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, explains why giving SEL training in the classroom is important, especially to prepare at-risk youth for a healthy and fulfilling life. She says,
"When students are struggling and school performance is poor, they are more likely to find school and learning as a source of anxiety, manifesting in diminished self-efficacy, motivation, engagement, and connectedness with school."

How SEL Benefits the Long-Term Development of Students

Having sound social and emotional capabilities plays a significant role in the overall development and success of a student. Teachers can nudge students in the right direction and nurture these skills using Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Social-Emotional Academic Development (SEAD).

In the long run, social-emotional learning changes the youth's attitudes towards learning for the better and also improves their self-confidence. A lot of research in SEL points towards it being a key factor in increased graduation rates, enrollment in institutions of higher learning, better emotional and mental health, decreased crime rates, and the development of healthier relationships among people.

In summary, SEL is a process that requires time, patience, and most importantly, educators who believe in providing a caring and safe learning environment for children.