Social Emotional Learning

Parent Resources

What is Social Emotional Learning?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) 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.


Fostering social emotional learning at home.

This short video explains the crucial role parents play in their child's social and emotional development.

Conversation Starters

Feelings and Emotions

Self-Confidence

Bravery and Courage

Relationships and Family

Similarities and Differences

Race and Racism

Curiosity and Wonder

Standing up for Yourself and Others

Helping your Child Through Difficult Times

Colaborative Problem Solving

Kids Do Well If They Can

Hand Model of the Brain

Self-Regulation


How to talk to Kids About Tragic News

Let's Talk About Mental Illness


Early Childhood Basics

Communicating with Your Child

Creating Structure and Rules

Giving Directions

Using Discipline and Consequences

Self-care strategies for parents

Help your Child Develop Social Awareness

Kids fight. Hurt feelings linger. What a parent to do?

Self-regulation games

Websites for Parents

The only site for parents that focuses explicitly on actively promoting kids’ social, emotional, and ethical development. Articles and resources focus on simple, practical ways to model, coach, and create opportunities to develop social and emotional skills in the context of family life.

Developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this site provides information on children’s developmental ages and stages, healthy living practices, safety and prevention, and dealing with health concerns at home.

Produced through a collaboration of the Consortium for Science-Based Information on Children, Youth, and Families, the site is committed to publishing resources with a solid research base. It has sections on body, mind, emotions, and relationships.

Reviews movies, apps, video games, and other media available to children. Each movie, for example, lists a parent-level age rating, along with a kid’s perspective of the appropriate age level. In addition, it gives a summary along with positive messages and violence or scariness rankings. A mobile app makes it simple to review any media children may encounter.

Helpful Links