What is Social Emotional Learning?
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Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults develop the skills to understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and show empathy and compassion toward others.
CASEL — the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning — identifies five core competencies that form the foundation of effective SEL:
Self-Awareness – understanding one’s emotions, strengths, and values
Self-Management – regulating emotions, thoughts, and behaviors
Social Awareness – showing empathy and understanding diverse perspectives
Relationship Skills – communicating and collaborating effectively
Responsible Decision-Making – making caring, ethical choices
Why it matters
Why it matters
Research shows that well-implemented SEL programs lead to:
Improved emotional regulation, academic performance, and classroom climate
Decreased stress, anxiety, and behavioral challenges
Stronger sense of belonging, empathy, and community connection
In a world where children face rising levels of stress, social disconnection, and pressure, SEL offers essential life skills that foster resilience, compassion, and well-being — not only in students, but in teachers, families, and entire school communities.
Our Approach: Compassion-Based SEL
Our Approach: Compassion-Based SEL
At Karuna, we integrate Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) principles into SEL education — creating what we call Compassion-Based S.E.L. This approach blends the evidence-based framework of CASEL and MSC mindfulness and compassion training.
Through experiential learning, storytelling, and reflective practices, children and adults learn to:
Respond to challenges with curiosity and kindness rather than self-criticism
Cultivate empathy and emotional balance
Strengthen social connection and belonging
Create inclusive and compassionate learning environments
Our programs- S.E.L Pathways- supports teachers, parents, and students in developing the emotional literacy and resilience needed to thrive — both in and beyond the classroom.
EVIDENCE-BASED
EVIDENCE-BASED
CASEL-approved frameworks ensure that SEL programs are:
Evidence-based and measurable
Developmentally appropriate across ages and settings
Culturally responsive and equitable
Aligned with national education standards
By grounding our Compassion-Based S.E.L. approach in the CASEL and MSC framework, we ensure that our work is both heart-centered and scientifically sound — blending mindfulness and compassion practices with proven methods for building lifelong emotional intelligence.
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