Social Emotional Learning
Building crucial skills that help us succeed in school and thrive in life.
Students and adults need more than just academic skills. We also need self-control, resilience, organization, discipline, critical thinking, empathy, etc. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of building skills like these. SEL skills fit into five categories:
Self-Awareness
Knowing your emotions, values, traits, etc. and how they influence your behavior. Being aware of your personal rights and responsibilities.
Self-Management
Responding to emotions in healthy ways and showing self-control. Setting goals, being organized, and overcoming obstacles.
Social Awareness
Empathy and perspective taking. Celebrating diverse cultures. Understanding appropriate social behavior. Recognizing sources of support.
Relationship Skills
Building strong relationships. Cooperation and teamwork. Handling critical feedback, conflict, and social pressure appropriately.
Responsible Decision Making
Weighing pros and cons, considering wellbeing, forming a realistic understanding of consequences, and making constructive choices.
Minnesota is one of a growing number of states with SEL standards. They're an asset that helps educators stay on the same page when we're communicating and planning. Click to learn more!
You may be wondering how we build these skills. SEL is happening in every school, whether we call it "SEL" or not.
In fact, this work has been part of schools for as long as schools have existed. We simply continue to improve our tools and approach.
Schools often set aside time to teach SEL curriculum (during morning meetings, advisory, etc.), but the learning hardly stops there.
Pretty much everything we do during the school day (and beyond) can support SEL.
SEL looks like (for example):
Creating supportive climates with a sense of belonging and clear rules
Engaging instruction, group work, and project-based learning
Reflecting on the traits, values, emotions, and decisions of literary characters or historical figures
Discipline practices that help students learn from their mistakes
Matching at-risk students with extra support
Educator self-care and teamwork