Social-emotional learning, or SEL, is a philosophy and method to help students better understand emotions, feel those emotions fully and show empathy for others. By finding constructive ways to develop these qualities, students can become more productive, self-aware and socially aware.

This means using SEL methods and practice as part of classroom teachings. Embedding SEL and using its strategies into regular lesson plans allows you to teach social-emotional development as it relates to present challenges.

There are five core components of SEL:

• Self-awareness
• Self-management
• Responsible decision-making
• Relationship skills
• Social awareness

These components are interconnected and developing one area frequently involves development in other SEL areas.

Research shows that teaching SEL has a positive impact on many outcomes and life skills, including academic performance, healthy relationships, personal responsibility and overall mental wellness. Read this customizable CASEL presentation for more about the benefits of SEL.

Research has shown that mental health issues are on the rise among kids and teens. By teachers helping meet students’ social and emotional needs, they are more likely to be successful academically. Research has shown that SEL can boost classroom achievement by 11 percentile points on average.

Here are just some of the ways you can promote SEL through daily activities:

• Journal writing
• Daily greetings and meetings
• Practicing problem-solving skills
• Giving students jobs and responsibilities
• Encourage positive self-talk
• Read-aloud sessions

Even if you’re teaching a subject that doesn’t seem to relate to SEL, there are several strategies for incorporating SEL methods, including:

• Being present and observant
• Creating a supportive atmosphere
• Starting and encouraging discussion
• Providing opportunities to practice SEL skills

SEL doesn’t just aid academic learning. The lifelong skills it develops are useful far after someone’s classroom time ends. By being more in-tune with themselves and others, students are more likely to succeed in their professional and personal lives.

Studies have shown that strong emotional assets have a positive correlation to better well-being up to 18 years after an intervention — and they are consistently effective across all demographic and geographic backgrounds. While it is best when designed for specific contexts and cultures, the overall SEL philosophy supports people globally.

In addition to the five core areas mentioned above, here are some other lifelong skills that can be developed through SEL:

• Goal-directed behavior
• Optimistic thinking
• Displaying self-control
• Positive self-image
• Asking for help when needed
• Listening and paying attention
• Kindness towards others

SEL may be even more valuable for online learning, because it creates a virtual support system that is often taken for granted in a classroom setting. A few ways to implement SEL for online classrooms include:

• Make SEL teaching more explicit
• Work to build community
• Assign self-care assignments
• Teach a growth mindset
• Get students' families involved

The framework of social-emotional learning is referred to as the "CASEL wheel". (CASEL is the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning.) The wheel's center has the five core SEL competencies. Circling the core are the four primary settings where students live and grow: Classrooms, Schools, Families & Caregivers and Communities.