Social-emotional learning is the process through which children develop skills that help them understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Meeting the Social-Emotional Needs of Young Children
- Carry out supportive interaction strategies. …
- Foster supportive relationships between school and home. …
- Provide activities and experiences that give children opportunities to learn social-emotional skills.
What are emotional needs in the classroom?
Students need: To learn how to listen to others, such as through specific listening strategies. To understand others’ differences and how these differences make us all unique and important. To know how to express themselves in a way that is appropriate, respectful, and thoughtful.
How does social and emotional development affect learning? By providing a kind environment, it helps to encourage optimal brain development as well as social connection and collaboration. In other words, SEL affects learning by shaping children’s developing neural circuitry, particularly the executive functions.
Teaching Social and Emotional Skills All Day
- Be intentional. …
- Create a warm classroom culture. …
- Focus on relationships. …
- Make discipline more inclusive. …
- Broaden your definition of student success. …
- Advocate for change on the school and system level.
Examples of Social and Emotional Skills Include:
- • Displays self-control.
- • Expresses feelings with words.
- • Listens and pays attention.
- • Pride in accomplishments.
- • Has a positive self image.
- • Asks for help when needed.
- • Shows affection to familiar people.
- • Aware of other peoples feelings.
The CASEL 5 addresses five broad and interrelated areas of competence and highlights examples for each: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
What are emotional needs?
An emotional need is a state or condition that must be fulfilled in order for us to experience happiness and peace. When our emotional needs are met and responded to appropriately, they keep us in balance. They are essential to a healthy lifestyle.
Start by being supportive.
- Love your child and show your affection for them. …
- Encourage your child to try new things. …
- Give your child opportunities to play with other children their age. …
- Show your feelings. …
- Establish daily routines. …
- Acknowledge your child’s feelings.
SEL is helpful to both children and adults, increasing self-awareness, academic achievement, and positive behaviors both in and out of the classroom. … Students who are equipped to deal with problems that affect them on a personal level are then better able to navigate the pressures of adult life.
How to Incorporate Social-Emotional Learning in Your Classroom
- Be Present and Observant. In order to figure out what my students are struggling with, I have to be present and observant. …
- Create a Supportive Atmosphere. …
- Share Life Experiences. …
- Stimulate Discussion. …
- Give Your Students the Opportunity to Practice.
SEL leads to improved academic outcomes and behaviors
When students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social, emotional, and cognitive skills across many different contexts, academic learning accelerates.