Social Emotional Learning (SEL): What is it and How To Learn More?

Posted on: February 24, 2023

Social emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to thrive in their academic and personal life.

Intrigued by the concept of SEL and want to learn more? We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to understand its definition, history, importance and more.

What is social emotional learning?

As the name suggests, SEL is the process through which children learn and develop their emotional intelligence and social skills. It is a theory of learning that focuses on helping children develop the capacity to recognize and manage their own emotions, set and achieve goals, understand and empathize with the emotions and experiences of others, build positive relationships, and make responsible and healthy decisions. SEL emphasizes the importance of developing a range of social and emotional skills that are essential for success in both personal and professional settings. By teaching children these skills, we can help them become more well-rounded, empathetic, and resilient individuals.

How was social emotional learning developed?

The concept was initially developed in 1987 when Timothy Shriver and Dr. Roger P. Weissberg led a team of educators and researchers in an initiative to create the New Haven Social Development Program. This lasted until 1992 and produced a set of curricula and assessment tools that helped address behavioral challenges at schools.

Soon after in 1994, the term "social emotional learning" was introduced along with the CASEL organization. Their mission was, and still is, to incorporate a multidisciplinary approach to learning that focuses on the whole child and includes social-emotional skills as well as academic content. This has led to SEL becoming an integral part of school systems around the world, with many countries including it in their national education policies.

Why does social emotional learning matter?

There are many reasons why SEL should be included in a child’s education. The first is that it can help prevent bullying and other forms of peer aggression. It also helps children develop healthy social skills such as empathy, self-regulation and conflict resolution. In addition, SEL can help improve academic performance by improving concentration, focus and engagement in school activities.

One of the keys to implementing SEL effectively is to learn how to incorporate it into teaching in a way that is meaningful and engaging for students. By doing this, we can help children develop the skills they need to succeed in both their personal and professional lives. However, SEL doesn't end in childhood education — it continues to be important in adult life as well. In fact, it's an essential component of a healthy, successful and happy life. SEL can help adults with everything from parenting and relationships to getting ahead at work.

The five core competencies of social emotional learning

SEL is based on five core competencies that are essential to healthy development, which are:

1. Self-awareness

Being aware of one’s feelings, thoughts and actions helps students understand how their decisions affect their broader self-image. In addition, awareness helps students recognize the impact of their actions on others, which can be especially helpful in preventing bullying.

2. Self-management

Students who have developed self-management skills are able to control their emotions and impulses. They can also focus their attention on tasks, despite distractions or temptations. This allows them to set goals for themselves and stick with them over time.

3. Social awareness

Social awareness is the ability to recognize other people’s feelings and perspectives. This skill can help students navigate conflicts and better understand how others feel about them. Moreover, social awareness enables students to be more empathetic toward those who may be different from them.

4. Relationship skills

Incorporating SEL in a child's education can also help them develop crucial relationship skills, such as the ability to negotiate and cooperate with others. This is important because it can help students build positive relationships with their peers and teachers, as well as develop mutually beneficial bonds outside of school.

5. Responsible decision-making

A child's ability to make responsible decisions can go a long way in shaping their future and helping them avoid making mistakes they may regret later on. SEL can help children develop the skills they need to make informed decisions that are in their best interests in every area of life.

Who can benefit from social emotional learning?

The results of SEL can be witnessed in a variety of settings and across the spectrum of age groups. That's because the core competencies are transferable skills that can be applied in different circumstances that benefit those who are involved in:

1. Educational settings

When children are exposed to a curriculum that focuses on the development of social and emotional skills, they show higher rates of academic achievement and improved behavior. Teachers, staff and administration are able to enjoy a healthy and productive environment that fosters a sense of positivity, trust and belonging. Students feel empowered to learn and teachers have the tools they need to help each child reach their full potential — leading to lower levels of burnout for all parties involved.

2. Family life and interpersonal relationships

Teaching children and adolescents the skills needed to navigate interpersonal relationships can improve their mental health, self-esteem and overall quality of life. Emotional intelligence is a vital skill for maintaining happy relationships with family members, especially when stress is present.

Furthermore, SEL helps parents and caregivers learn the skills needed to empathize with children, so they can build stronger relationships through communication and conflict resolution. This helps them guide their kids through the social and emotional challenges of growing up, ensuring that they are prepared to succeed in life beyond school.

3. Communities and local activities

The soft skills and competencies that emerge from SEL are invaluable assets when it comes to building stronger communities. The ability to communicate effectively, work in teams and solve problems can help bring people together and encourage the development of more open-minded and inclusive groups. This can help break down stereotypes, reduce prejudice and discrimination, and encourage individuals to work together towards a common goal.

Get a deeper insight into SEL

The field of SEL is growing, and implementing it in schools can be vastly beneficial in helping children to develop the skills and competencies that are essential for success in life. However, in order to do this effectively and make sure that the curriculum is properly implemented, it’s important to have a deeper understanding of SEL research and techniques.

For further reading, explore this curated list of books from Routledge that discuss practical strategies for incorporating SEL in K-12 education.