What is SEL?


Social Emotional Learning or SEL in kindergarten is the process of educating students about recognizing and managing their emotions, building positive relationships, responsible decision making and the ability to handle challenging situations when they arise (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2024). SEL blends cognitive, social, emotional and relational aspects of learning (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2024, par 1). This combination of learning helps build and support the whole child.





What Skills Can Students Gain From SEL?


When educators offer SEL programming in the classroom it helps……

  1. Students learn not only to understand their emotions but ways to express those emotions successfully.
  2. Students learn empathy and compassion for those around them (peers, educators, siblings).
  3. Students gain an inclusive sense of identity.
  4. Students learn to build relationships that are healthy and mutually supportive.






What Are The Benefits of SEL?


SEL offers lifelong benefits to students that grow with them from Kindergarten into adulthood. Here are a few benefits that are known to happen with SEL programming over time.

  1. Resilience when faced with trauma or an emergency
  2. Decreased high school dropout rates
  3. Increased mental health and well-being



References

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2024, December 23). What you need to know about social and emotional learning. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/what-you-need-know-about-social-and-emotional-learning