Social and Emotional Learning in the Classroom
- Akpan Funke
- Jan 6, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 13, 2023
What is Social and Emotional Learning?
We live in a time where the increase in crime rate, depression, suicide and suicidal thoughts, bullying, and theft are common among young people. The advent of technology especially after the new normal (COVID-19) brought an increase in crime rates among young ones based on the fact there is economic change; some of their parents lost their jobs which reduce their standard of living, and the introduction of mobile phones without adequate parental control and the less presence/ supervision of an adult in the community.
Social and Emotional Learning is the process through which young people learn and acquire the skills need to succeed academically and in life. SEL helps young people to acquire the skills need to succeed academically and in life. SEL helps young people to recognize their emotions, thoughts and feelings and how it relates to other people and the community at large.
source: 321insight
SEL “is the process through which children, youth, and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills 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” (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, 2015, para. 1).
Social and emotional skills are critical to being a good student, citizen, and worker. Workforce demands aside, many call for the 21st-century classroom to be student-centred and to support individual learning needs. Moreover, students’ ability to learn well depends not just on instruction, but also on factors such as the school climate, a sense of belonging with peers, positive relationships with educators, and the feedback they receive.
CASEL FIVE (5) SEL COMPETENCIES
According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), there are five competencies or skills that a child or students need to master to achieve equity and excellence in life.
FIVE CORE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES
SELF-AWARENESS: This competency involves the recognition and understanding of one’s emotions, thoughts, feelings, goals and values. Self-awareness skills help children to identify their emotions, thoughts and feelings and how they can impact others. It is believed that any individual who doesn’t see the good in himself or herself cannot appreciate the worth of another person. When a child learns to value him or herself and recognizes his or her feelings or emotions, that way the child will be able to relate to the environment. Self-awareness practice involves the identification of one’s emotions, the right way to expose their emotions and the ability to control their body parts relating to how one is feeling.
Self-Awareness is the foundation for the development of more advanced SEL Skills ( Self-Management, Social-Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making) that help children to succeed in school and life.
(Jones et al., 2016)
Practical Tips to Improve Student Self-Awareness
a. Be an active listener
b, Celebrate exceptional improvement in behaviours
c. Teach the different emotions and how to express themselves.
d. Model the right attitude to them.
‘If we want students to be kind, we need to be kind adults. If we want students to be cooperative, we need to be cooperative adults. If we expect students to be responsible, we need to be responsible adults.
MODEL. MODEL. MODEL.
LISA ROMANO, TEACHER
B. SELF-MANAGEMENT: Self-management is the ability to manage and control’ one’s thoughts, emotions and feelings effectively and in different situations.
Self-Management skill helps students to be conscious of their emotions, how to express them and think before they speak or act.
A child who listens and obeys class rules or thinks about the consequences of an action before acting practices self-management skills.
Self-Management skills help students to stay clear of the consequence of not following rules and directions. It also facilitates good relationships with others. It also builds a child’s self-esteem, and confidence and supports connection with others.
Self-Management also helps students to decipher appropriate and inappropriate behaviours and helps them stay focused on personal goals or class activities.
C. Social-Awareness: Social-Awareness is the ability to recognize and identify other people’s emotions, perspectives, and practice empathy and compassion when relating with them.
Empathy means walking in another person’s shoes. Students and adults need the skills, it’s essential at home, school and at the workplace. Sometimes, as a teacher, all that the students with learning behaviours need is to be shown empathy, kindness and compassion. I practice kindness and empathy in the classroom and I discover that the kids love it and helped to make the classroom environment more conducive because everyone is pursuing the same goal; kindness and empathy. This way, no one wants to bully others to not be caught in the trap of wickedness and meanness, hence, not receiving a prize from me. If every student in a class is kind and compassionate to each other, students with low self-esteem will be helped and motivated to learn and bullies will have a change of attitude and mindset.
D. Relationship Skills: Relationship skills are the ability to make and maintain healthy and supportive relationships. Relationship skills help students to make friends and maintain positive relationships, communicate effectively with others, engage in teamwork and collaborative problem-solving, resist negative social pressure, seek and/or offer support when needed, cooperate and play well with others, resolve conflicts or solve problems with others peacefully and effectively.
Tips to Promote Relationship Skills in the Classroom
Encourage sharing and helping others.
Give students a shoutout when you see them doing this
Provide opportunities for students to engage with all classmates:
Suggestion: Have students switch who they are sitting next to
in-class or switch partners for group work to encourage
meeting and connecting with other classmates.
Discuss the importance of being kind to others and “treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Make time for connection.
A daily check-in with students.
Create a fun weekly class routine that promotes connection and relationship building with students.
Ex: Have Fun Fridays: Play team-building games, and have students give special shoutouts to classmates for the kindness they’ve shown this week.
Links to Helpful Relationship Skills Resources for Teachers: https://www.thesocialemotionalteacher.com/relationship-skills-in-theclassroom/
Meet New Friends Bingo Game:
Resources: © 2022 EmOTions from the Inside Out, (CASEL, 2019; Jones & Bouffard, 2012
E. Responsible Decision-Making Skills: Responsible Decision-Making Skills is the knowledge on the ability to gain knowledge, skills and attitudes on how to make constructive decisions and choices. Responsible decision making is a skill that is essential for learners to make the right choices and the ability to think before they speak and to ask the right question when confronted. This skill helps to build 21st Century life skills such as communication skills, collaboration, critical-thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
Research has shown that students who are able to effectively use Decision-Making Skills have better skills have better academic and behavioural outcomes. (Durlak et.al, 2011; Zhang et al., 2016)
BENEFITS OF SEL IN THE CLASSROOM
Improved Grade Performance.
Reduction of Negative Behaviour.
Cooperation with a team/classmates.
Increased self-esteem.
Minimal emotional stress e.t.c.
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