WHAT IS SEL?
Social Emotional Learning is a very effective way to help students understand their feelings, build positive relationships and make responsible decisions. One leading cause of conflict in schools is students not knowing how to manage or control emotions or communicate in healthy ways.
While you're probably asking what Social Emotional Learning is and how it benefits kids. Social Emotional Learning is teaching students how to recognize their emotions and how to deal with them. The purpose of this is for when students face difficult situations, they can use skills to respond safely and respectfully. This is very helpful because it reduces violence, improves friendships, and helps students succeed both in and out of the classroom. It's almost like giving students a guide to handle life's challenges. Having these skills can help students in school, at home, and in their future.
Better Behavioral Outcomes
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a proactive role in reducing school fights and violence by teaching students critical skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and build empathy. Rather than relying on not involving anyone or anything else on reactive, intended as punishment measures, SEL integrates into the school climate to address the root causes of aggression. Across the country, schools and communities are having conversations about how to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child. While there is no single solution, we know that SEL plays a critical role. Evidence-based practices that build supportive relationships and promote social and emotional skills can help reduce bullying and isolation, and curb future violence.
Research shows that preventative measures focused on developing social and emotional competencies and supportive learning climates can help emotional safety and help reduce violence. By cultivating skills like self-regulation and problem-solving, SEL promotes mental wellness and reduces risky behaviors. SEL also helps foster responsive classroom environments that build supportive relationships, which help prevent school violence. While SEL is not a solution, it is an essential tool that supports physical and emotional safety in schools.