What is Social and Emotional Learning?
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is a term that we have heard about increasingly in recent years; however, it is important to fully understand what this term means if we are hoping to effectively teach the necessary skills to our students. SEL can be defined as,
the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skill
necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. (CASEL, 2017)
With this definition in mind, the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), defines five competencies within their framework that they claim will, “educate hearts, inspire minds, and help people navigate the world more effectively” (2017). The five competencies listed by CASEL are: Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills and Responsible Decision Making (2017).