Everyone agrees that schools are responsible for educating young people, but what does this education consist of? Skills like reading, writing, and math are important, but students need more than academic skills to succeed in life. Parents, teachers, and students alike tend to agree that children should also be learning important social and emotional skills in school. are important lessons that can and should be taught in the classroom.
This is the idea behind bringing social-emotional learning (SEL) into the classroom. Children are better prepared for the holistic challenges of adult life when they are taught how to work together, manage stress, and make good decisions alongside their academic topics. Children who know how to manage themselves and relate to others become better contributors to public life. citizens.
5 Key Skills Social-Emotional Learning Teaches
Social-emotional learning curriculum focuses on developing five key skills.
Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is about knowing oneself: recognizing emotions, acknowledging goals, and identifying values. It involves establishing self-esteem by recognizing one’s strengths and weaknesses. A self-aware child understands how feelings, thoughts, and behaviors related to each other.
Self-Management
This skill helps children handle their behaviors and emotions. By learning how to control impulses, wait for gratification, and regulate stress, children are equipped to persist in spite of personal or academic challenges.
Social Awareness
Social awareness is about understanding and relating to other people, particularly those whose culture or background is different from our own. It helps children learn empathy and compassion. They also learn to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable social behaviors.
Relationship Skills
Whether working in groups or making friends, relationship skills are key to success at every stage of life. This skill focuses on teaching good communication skills, active listening, and conflict resolution.
Responsible Decision-Making
This skill is all about teaching kids how to make good choices. Children who develop responsible decision-making skills understand the consequences of their actions, knowing that their decisions affect not only themselves but also those around them.
The Results of Teaching SEL in the classroom
What does teaching SEL in the classroom do for students? There are numerous benefits, both short and long-term. They make fewer reckless decisions and are less likely to struggle with managing their emotions. They feel more committed to the school, relate to others better, and have higher self-esteem. Children who develop strong these skills in the classroom are more likely to graduate from high school and tend to perform better on tests.
What Does SEL in the Classroom Look Like?
Our SEL Program supports teachers and students alike through in-class coaching and modeling. A Mindful Practices SEL coach leads the class through mindfulness and movement exercises. These sessions are complemented by wellness workshops and online tools that help get students and teachers feel motivated and supported.
While having SEL in the classroom is good, it should not stop there. It should also be built into the school’s policies and continue at home with family and community efforts. Educational experts and psychologists agree that a child’s emotional and social development is an important part of a well-rounded education, so it should be a priority for teachers, policy-makers, and parents alike.