An Introduction to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

What is Social Emotional Learning?

Social Emotional Learning, or SEL as it is often abbreviated, is the process of developing the skills that are needed in children for them to be able to:

• manage their emotions,
• build healthy relationships,
• make responsible decisions, and,
• manage challenges that life throws their way.

SEL has five core competencies that must be developed before children can achieve personal growth, academic achievement, and social engagement. These competencies are detailed below.

SEL Competency: Self-Management

Self-management is the ability to regulate thoughts, emotions and behaviours in a wide range of different situations. Children who can control impulses, manage stress and motivate themselves to achieve goals will have a higher level of self-management.

Children with the following essential skills will have higher levels of self-management:

• Can control impulses.
• Can demonstrate delayed gratification.
• Can reflect on things that have happened.
• Can take the initiative and pursue tasks without the need for a reward.
• Are open-minded and adaptable to changes.
• Can persevere in the face of setbacks.
• Can self-soothe to manage stress and anxiety.
• Can set short- and long-term goals.
• Can self-regulate their emotions.

Self-management skills are crucial for academic success and emotional well-being. The following activities can help to develop self-management skills in children:

• Playing games that require waiting and turn-taking.
• Helping children to see the bigger reward rather than the instant reward.
• Role-playing scenarios to act out changes in routine and how to react to them.
• Providing opportunities to complete tasks independently.
• Praising effort (rather than outcomes).
• Using guided relaxation and meditation exercises.
• Teaching coping strategies such as counting to 10.

SEL Competency: Relationship Skills

Relationship skills are essential for childhood and include establishing and maintaining healthy relationships with others.

Children with the following skills will have an easier time maintaining relationships:

• Demonstrates good active listening skills.
• Demonstrates clear and respectful language skills.
• Works well with others.
• Shows empathy towards others.
• Can see things from the view of others.
• Recognises social cues and social norms.
• Shows compassion and kindness to others.
• Can resolve conflict peacefully.
• Respect the boundaries of others.
• Can self-regulate their emotions.

Relationship skills can be developed in children by following some of these activities:

• Practicing conversations using the “I” statement to express feelings (“I feel ..”).
• Running group projects that require collaborative work.
• Role-playing conflict scenarios and practising negotiations.
• Role-playing scenarios to practice understanding the feelings of others.
• Teaching about personal space.
• Building things together, such as a puzzle.
• Teaching coping strategies such as counting to 10.
• Team building exercises.

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

As you may have noticed, the five core competencies of Social Emotional Learning are deeply interconnected. Sometimes, one area cannot be fulfilled if skills in another area are absent. For instance, children who struggle to manage their emotions may find it challenging to achieve academic success as they may become overwhelmed. Similarly, children who have difficulty respecting the personal boundaries of others may struggle to maintain healthy relationships. Understanding these interconnections can provide a deeper insight into the holistic nature of SEL.

SEL is important because it helps develop a well-rounded child who can achieve academic success, have good mental health, and use social skills to build relationships, self-regulate, and self-soothe, reducing aggressive behaviours and outbursts.

Understanding SEL as a professional working with children will help you look beyond the initial presentation or behaviour and help the child develop healthy skills that will benefit them into adulthood.

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