Every person is born with a common set of emotions but has a unique way of expressing them in different situations.
Alongside necessary disciplines like math, language, physics, or history, teaching the ability to understand and manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions is no less crucial. These skills fall under social-emotional learning (SEL) terms and open up an amazing world of creating favorable and healthy learning environments. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the secrets of SEL! We’ll explore its definition, theory, importance, and benefits, and look at how educators can effectively incorporate it into their teaching practices.
What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is not a separate discipline but a learning technique that should be applied as part of the educational curriculum to help build relationships with students. It is the process through which we all learn and grow, develop attitudes and skills to properly handle our emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish relationships, and make decisions. When, for example, kids don’t know grammar, teachers don’t punish them but encourage them to learn it. SEL is a bit different - you don’t teach it. It happens naturally within the scope of teaching and aims at educating students to overcome behavioral problems related to learning. Social-emotional awareness is the key component of classroom management, as it boosts productivity, improves knowledge sharing, and forms a positive environment.
What is Social Emotional Learning Theory?
The theory behind social-emotional learning goes back to the 1960s, when child psychologist James Comer and his colleagues from the Yale University Child Study Center developed and implemented low-income school programs focused on students’ social and emotional needs. According to the program, schools were supposed to become such an environment where kids would be loved and valued, and their problems would be solved through empathy and conversation instead of the teacher’s strict tone.
SEL theory states that emotional intelligence and social skills are fundamental to success in school, work, and life. Later, this theory laid the foundation for the studies on emotional intelligence, which highlighted that individuals with an average IQ achieve more academic success than those with a higher level. Thus, SEL programs became popular among educators worldwide who implemented this practice to improve students’ social and emotional skills.
Benefits of SEL
As we get older, our life experience teaches us to control our emotions, handle difficult situations, and demonstrate a more or less fair attitude depending on circumstances. And very often, we can’t manage to keep our kids away from challenges or follow up on a certain problem. That is why incorporating SEL into interpersonal learning is essential and here are some benefits:
Academic Performance: Students who participate in SEL programs show better academic outcomes since the feeling of security and support helps them focus more on learning.
Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: SEL offers students mechanisms for better coping and more effective management of their emotions, which, in turn, reduces levels of stress and anxiety.
Better Social Skills: Through SEL, students more easily engage in cross-functional collaboration, and learn to communicate and resolve conflicts both in the classroom and in everyday life.
Reduced Behavioral Problems: Social and emotional education is associated with lower rates of aggression, bullying, and disciplinary issues, creating a safer and more favorable learning environment.
Increased Empathy and Compassion: SEL promotes empathy, compassion, and respect for any kind of diversity. These features are essential for creating inclusive and supportive communities.
Why is SEL Important?
The globalized world not only offers us boundless opportunities but also brings with it psychological challenges and stress. The biggest dream of every parent is to have emotionally healthy children with successful academic outcomes. SEL is important because it equips individuals with the necessary skills to navigate life's challenges and succeed both as individuals and professionals. Different studies show that by being educated in terms of social-emotional learning, individuals become more competent cooperators and decision-makers.
Social Emotional Learning Competencies
Here are the five core competencies of SEL that are essential for personal and social development:
Self-awareness
Recognizing one's emotions, goals, and values helps a person see the connection between them and one’s behavior. With self-awareness, it is possible to use our strengths and work on our weaknesses, developing confidence and optimism.
Self-management
Self-management is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. It teaches people to manage stress, control urges, and motivate themselves for goal achievement.
Social Awareness
This is about the ability to feel and express empathy, understand social norms, and respect cultural diversity or other differences within the community.
Relationship Skills
It's so important to be able to work together and communicate effectively, and the best way to do that is to have the right skills for building and maintaining healthy and rewarding relationships. These skills help individuals cooperate and resolve conflicts in constructive ways.
Making Responsible Decisions
Responsible decision-making is the ability to choose the right ways of personal and social behavior. It includes the consideration of well-being not only for oneself but also for others and the capability to assess the consequences of various actions and direct them towards positive outcomes.
How Teachers Approach SEL
Implementing SEL in the classroom is one of many possible ways for teachers to solve all the problems that students face. But it will definitely have a positive impact on multiple situations. A teacher who has worked on one’s social-emotional skills can demonstrate a proper attitude through their interactions with students and colleagues and be a role model. Teaching is one of the toughest professions, so the ability to deal with challenges together while maintaining mental health is crucial. According to one survey, educators who incorporate SEL into the curriculum are less likely to suffer physical burnout and stress, as it helps to create a supportive environment. Happy teacher, happy student! The integration of SEL techniques across various subjects promotes trustful educator-student relationships, facilitates group activities, and motivates goal-setting and achievement. In addition, SEL is a useful tool for the development of strategies to stay focused, both for teachers and learners.
How Do You Incorporate Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom?
There are different ways of incorporating SEL in the classroom. However, the main idea is to deliver precise SEL-centered lessons and create opportunities for the learners to use social-emotional skills in their everyday lives. Here are several strategies to do so:
Morning meetings: Check on the students by starting the day on positive notes, thus building a sense of community.
Interactive lessons and mindfulness practices: Engage students in activities promoting SEL, i.e., role-playing, group projects, collaborative problem-solving, and gamification in education. Practice exercises that help students handle stress and stay focused.
Reflective journaling: Encourage students to reflect on their experiences and emotions through writing.
Positive reinforcement: To reinforce acquired SEL skills it is important to recognize and reward positive social behaviors.
Measuring Social-Emotional Learning Impact
When students struggle with education, show poor performance, and get frustrated by challenges, it impacts their motivation, self-efficacy, and engagement. Educators need to evaluate the impact of SEL on students’ overall performance to assess changes in their behavior and academic progress. The assessment methods include surveys and questionnaires that can involve everyone, i.e., teachers, students, and their parents. Teachers can practice keeping records of behavioral observations and educational outcomes by analyzing students’ grades, interactions, discipline, and the ability to handle conflicts.
Conclusion
Social-emotional learning is a vital component of modern education. Some teachers invent a unique welcome routine to set a positive tone for the day, while others fill their lessons with psychological tricks and games to establish trustful contact with learners. In one way or another, SEL techniques provide students with the skills they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
In a world where traditional communication gives way to virtual one, the ability to interact properly and manage emotions is highly important. So by fostering self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, SEL helps create well-rounded individuals capable of navigating life challenges.