If you’ve ever spent much time with a toddler upset because they weren’t allowed to have a second serving of ice cream, then you’ve already taken a crash course in how hard it can be to learn to manage emotions. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of learning to understand and manage emotions. Because it involves virtually every aspect of life from relationships to perseverance, SEL helps kids flourish both personally and academically. And of course, understanding social and emotional learning helps parents navigate their children's needs while still aiming to help them grow into well-balanced and adaptable adults. Integrating SEL in the classroom and at home is just as important as working on reading, math, and science, and parents, teachers, and caregivers all play a role in its development.
Why is social-emotional learning essential?
When talking about SEL, educators frequently highlight the well-known Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. CASEL beautifully defines SEL as “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.”
Understanding the complete picture of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) really shows us why SEL is so essential—not just in education, but also for overall human development, as highlighted by CASEL. Their framework, often referred to as the “CASEL wheel,” consists of five essential core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Here’s a closer look at the definitions of these core competencies:
- Self-awareness – the ability to recognize our own feelings, reactions, character, and emotions
- Self-management – the ability to take responsibility for our own behavior and well-being including reacting to and coping with our emotions in healthy ways
- Social awareness – the ability to empathize with others, including understanding their feelings, needs, concerns, and perspectives; to recognize and follow socially appropriate behavior; and to know where to find supportive resources
- Relationship skills – the skills required to form and sustain healthy relationships with others. The MN Department of Education lists key relationship skills as: “communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed”
- Responsible decision-making – the ability to make constructive choices about behavior and interactions based on evaluation of ethics, safety, social norms, and potential consequences
Every parent and teacher dreams of seeing kids blossom in all these impactful social and emotional learning areas! Helping a young person develop empathy, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions is truly at the heart of our vision. Plus, nurturing the essential skills of social-emotional learning brings even greater rewards for everyone involved.
Here are some of the key benefits of SEL in early childhood education
Improved academic performance – In “An Update on Social and Emotional Learning Outcome Research” published in the Phi Delta Kappan online magazine, researchers Joseph L. Mahoney, Joseph A. Durlak, and Roger P. Weissberg, examined outcomes of several SEL programs. CASEL found one conclusion especially noteworthy: “SEL programs appear to have as great a long-term impact on academic growth as has been found for programs designed specifically to support academic learning.”
Better behavior – In "What Does the Research Say?" CASEL reports that "SEL contributes to healthy well-being and safe schools." Other studies note decreased aggression and improved relationship skills.
Stronger emotional intelligence – Mental Health America defines this as “the ability to manage both your own emotions and understand the emotions of people around you." In an overview by Anamitra Basu and Martial Mermillod of the link between SEL and emotional intelligence (EI), they note “Many learners, particularly those at risk of school failure, do not possess the social-emotional skills needed to be emotionally intelligent. Social-emotional learning enables learners to effectively understand process, manage and express the social and emotional aspects of their lives.”
Understanding the role of SEL in everyday learning
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a vital role in helping children build resilience, empathy, and essential social skills. Not only does it foster these important traits, but it also positively influences long-term academic and career success. According to CASEL, students who develop stronger social and emotional skills are more likely to achieve significant milestones such as graduating high school, enrolling in postsecondary education, and securing stable, full-time employment.
Fortunately, SEL is naturally woven into kids’ daily interactions at home and in the classroom, with “teachable moments” at every turn.
SEL in the Classroom
Integrating SEL in the classroom can take many creative forms and shapes. We often underestimate how familiar activities can be part of the SEL “curriculum.” SEL strategies for teachers can become part of a daily routine. Here are a few ideas for SEL activities for kids:
- Let’s Open Up! Encourage open discussions about emotions through storytelling and role-playing.
- Write It Out: Use SEL-focused activities like journaling, mood check-ins, and cooperative learning.
- Just Breathe: Incorporate mindfulness exercises to help with self-regulation.
- Work Together: Teach conflict resolution and problem-solving skills through group work and peer interactions.
SEL at Home
Even at home, we often miss the great opportunities to teach emotional intelligence that can come from those little everyday moments. Let’s take a look at a few examples!
- Demonstrate It: Model positive social-emotional behaviors for children.
- Share It: Encourage kids to express their emotions and validate their feelings.
- Play It: games, books, and activities that promote SEL (see resources below).
- Practice It: Practice gratitude exercises and kindness challenges.
SEL and academic success: The science behind it
What makes one aspect of development so impactful, shaping both the present and the future? The answer, it appears, is embedded in our brains.
Sweetwater Union High School District posted “Neuroscience of SEL” to its Curriculum & Instruction website page. It says, “There is a neurological basis for SEL (much of which has been researched using the emotional intelligence framework), which demonstrates that there are distinct areas of the brain that govern our social and emotional skills. These areas of the brain influence the way that we process information, react to emotionally charged events, and demonstrate empathy, among many other components.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, the page also notes that “Emotional states influence the degree to which we process information. For example, negative emotional states, such as fear, anger, or anxiety, are linked to less activity in the prefrontal cortex or the part of the brain that is responsible for thinking, whereas positive emotional states are associated with more activity in this area.”
In 2023, the Yale School of Medicine published the results of a study assessing SEL programs, highlighted by a compelling headline, “Research Finds Social and Emotional Learning Produces Significant Benefits for Students.” Led by Christina Cipriano, PhD, assistant professor in Yale Child Study Center, and Michael Strambler, associate professor of psychiatry, the study noted a long list of benefits from SEL programming in attitude, academics, and behavior. However, their research confirmed that students who participate in SEL programs “also feel better in school, reporting less anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Students were also more connected and included and had better relationships with peers and teachers.”
SEL resources for teachers and parents
Research keeps showing just how vital social and emotional learning (SEL) is for kids’ growth, and the good news is that there are plenty of resources available, many of which are free or quite affordable!
Beneficial SEL activities:
Turn-taking games
Role-playing
Feeling charts
Gratitude journal
For more great ideas, Pathway 2 Success, created by “a special educator turned curriculum specialist with a passion for everything ESL and executive functioning,” posted “30 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Every Classroom,” with several resource links, most of which are free. They include Mindful Morning Check-in, SEL Read Alouds, and End of Day Reflection.
Other SEL-friendly resources
- Home Skills: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (naeyc®) in “Building Social and Emotional Skills at Home,” offers fun suggestions like using puppets, doing a chore together, and discussing the characters and events in bedtime stories and asking your child questions about how they think the characters feel and what your child would do if they were that character.
- SEL Books: Better Kids posted “22 Children’s Books That Support Social Emotional Learning,” compiled by Shea Cours. And for the little learners Read Brightly posted “Picture Books to Boost Social Emotional Learning,” compiled by Trudy Ludwig, award-winning author of children’s books.
- Online SEL Activities: School Zone’s Anywhere Teacher learning app for ages 2-8 includes many resources and activities for developing social-emotional learning. Videos include “Describing My Emotions,” “Introducing Basic Emotions,” as well as activities like “Identifying Emotions with Charlie,” “Learning About Emotions,” “What’s That Feeling,” and “I Can Help Others.” The app also includes Emotions Flash Cards to help kids identify and manage their feelings and recognize others’ emotions, skills that require practice. Storybooks for early readers, such as Get Lost, Becka! about sibling dynamics, The Big Race about twins outsmarting a bully, and A Big Day of Play exploring emotions during group play, are part of Anywhere Teacher.
SEL in early childhood education is fundamental in shaping well-rounded, confident learners. When teachers and parents prioritize this both at home and in the classroom, they can empower kids to develop valuable skills that enrich their learning, strengthen their relationships, and brighten their future. Check out the SEL-friendly resources from School Zone Publishing to support our young learners!
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