What is Social-Emotional Learning?Social-Emotional Learning is a critical part of development for children and adolescents, in which individuals are supported in their personal and social growth through a variety of competencies. Social-Emotional Learning is absolutely essential for life and helps children learn how to interact with themselves, experience challenges and interact with the world around them.
CASEL is the leading organization that advocates for the implementation of SEL programs and supports; they define Social-Emotional Learning as: ...an integral part of education and human development. SEL is 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... |
CASEL has provided an in-depth and descriptive document that outlines the 5 competencies of SEL, and gives an outline of the key settings in which SEL is supported and fostered. The document unpacks the infographic (above) in a way to give a starting point for understanding; this document also provides a definition and some specific examples of each of the core competencies: Self- Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills, and Social Awareness. See the attached PDF , below.
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As teachers, it is our professional obligation to follow and adhere to provincial curriculum, but it is also our professional responsibility to educate the whole-child and that means taking teaching/learning one step further to educate the heart. Social-Emotional Learning is one of the most important ways we can educate the heart in a way that will carry through students' whole lives. This video outlines some of the basics of WHAT is SEL (also outlined above) and WHY it is so important.
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CASEL has also put together an extensive hub of research which outlines the impacts and benefits of Social-Emotional Learning. You can view the full article here, and watch the video to the right that they have put together about the positive impacts which include improved academic and behavioural outcomes, and improve overall lifelong outcomes!
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