5 Core Components of SEL

Self Management

The abilities to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.

Such as:

  • Managing on'es emotions

  • Identifying and using stress management strategies

  • Setting personal and collective goals

  • Using planning and organizational skills

  • Showing the courage to take initiative

Self Awareness

The abilities to understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes recognizing one's strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.

Such as:

  • Identying one's emotions

  • Having a growth mindset

  • Demonstrating honesty and integerity

  • Linking feelings, values, and thoughts

  • Identifying personal, cultlural, and linguistic assets

Responsible Decision-Making

The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. This includes the capacities to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being.

Such as:

  • Identifying solutions for personal and social problems

  • Reflecting on one's role to promote personal, family, and community well-being

  • Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness

  • Anticipating and evaluating the consequenes of one's actions

  • Learning how to make a reasoned judgement after analyzing information, data, and facts

Relationship Skills

The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the capacities to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed.

Such as:

  • Developing positive relationships

  • Practicing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving

  • Resisting negative social pressure

  • Resolving conflicts constructively

  • Seeking or offering support and help when needed

Social Awareness

The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This includes the capacities to feel compassion for others, understand norms for behavior in different settings, and recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

Such as:

  • Taking others' perspectives

  • Recognizing strengths in others

  • Demonstrating empathy and compassion

  • Showing concern for the feelings of others

  • Understanding and expressing gratitude