Social Emotional Learning

Is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

The Five Core Competencies

The definitions of the 5 Core Competencies emphasize the importance of embedding SEL into academic curriculum and of reviewing school-wide practices and policies to create equitable learning environments. Here are the five competencies and their updated definitions. If we had to name one takeaway from = the definition of social-emotional learning, it’s this: SEL and equity are interwoven. Any conversation about social-emotional learning is also a conversation about equity.

As Rob Jagers, vice president of research at CASEL, said on the "Reintroduction to Social-Emotional Learning" webinar:

"While SEL alone will not solve longstanding and deep-seated inequities in the education system, it can create the conditions needed for individuals and schools to examine and interrupt inequitable policies and practices, create more inclusive learning environments, and reveal and nurture the interests and assets of all individuals."

Resources

A Parent's Resource Guide to Social and Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Resources to Use at Home

The Pathway 2 Success: 10 SEL Activities to Use at Home

Committee for Children: Resources including Sesame Street

Brain Breaks: Kids Exercise Videos: 7 YouTube Channels to Get Kids Moving & Grooving

Centervention: Social Emotional Learning Activities

10 Ways Parents Can Bring Social-Emotional Learning Home

Families/Caregivers

CASEL Guide for Parents and Caregivers
A guide for parents and caregivers on managing stress, positive mindsets, and healthy practices during COVID-19.

Go Noodle: Fun brain breaks and exercises for kids
Strategies for Nurturing Kind, Supportive, and Emotionally Aware Kids

Berkeley Greater Good Site