Social and emotional learning is a process where both children and adults gain the knowledge and tools that can be used to better their social skills and allow for them to have a better social experience in the future.
Learning these skills will better prepare them for situations they will encounter in the future. Self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making are five core areas that people can gain skills from social and emotional learning (SEL).
SEL teaches how to be more self aware and know more about how to express their emotions. It helps them with self confidence and learing more about their interests and values. In addition, people are able to manage their stress better and learn how to overcome obstacles. People learn to create goals and take steps to achieve said goals as well. The process helps teach people how to be socially aware and empathize with others while also appreciating the similarities and differences between others in their community. Social and emotional learning helps people learn how to gain and maintain beneficial and healthy relationships provide and seek help when needed.
This type of learning helps teach people how to make decisions that are more responsible in not only academic situations but also in social situations.
According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the reason for the upbringing of social and emotional learning in schools is to alleviate the added stress on teachers of teaching students who are unwilling to cooperate.
Reminding students of expected classroom behavior regularly is something that needs to be done if a better outcome is wanted. It needs to be incorporated at all levels throughout the school. Social and emotional learning does not change the curriculum at all; it is only a different strategy that is being used to teach the same things. This is something that, according to the article, is not only affecting the school environment but also the workforce. Employers are concerned about employees that don’t know how to work as a team with others and don’t know how to behave in an expected manner.
Social and emotional learning helps individuals in their personal lives, but it also helps them learn how to work together as a team with others. It fosters empathy/understanding along with healthy communication.
If students are taught using this strategy at a younger age it can help teach them skills that they can use not only in their future education situations but also in their workplace. The Talon believes Social and Emotional learning strategies can help lead people to brighter futures and should be incorporated into more school or education systems.