Educators Management Liability: What is Social-Emotional Learning?

According to sources from EducationWorld.com, studies show that Social-emotional learning (SEL) allows kids to engage in learning and benefit from instruction. It is believed that SEL promotes skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and self-control among elementary-level students. So what exactly is social-emotional learning, and how can educators implement it in their schools?

Social emotional learning is defined as a process for learning life skills, including how to deal with oneself, others, and relationships. It also involves learning now to work in an effective manner. Some educators believe that SEL helps students recognize their emotions and learn how to manage those feelings, ultimately helping the student to develop sympathy and empathy for others and maintain positive relationships.

Surely, many teachers and educators will see the benefit of this type of learning. So the question is, how do you implement SEL? Here are a few commonly used techniques.

Implementing regular class meetings. Allowing students and their teachers to meet face-to-face to discuss challenges that promote responsibility and thoughtfulness can benefit even the youngest students. Meetings can be developmentally appropriate for kids as young as 3 or 4 if they are kept short and students have an active part.

Using conflict resolutions to teach problem-solving skills. Having a protocol in place that students can use to guide discussions about interpersonal conflict can help students handle disagreements in positive ways. Conflict is an inevitable part of human interaction, but handling in the right way can help students move past it quickly to focus on the curriculum they need to be learning.

Remain emotionally balanced. A lot can be said for setting examples. When teachers are emotionally balanced and feeling appreciated and valued, they are better able to be present for their students and support their growth. Stress relief techniques and positive collegial relationships can help you to feel calm and confident.

These are just a few techniques used for SEL that are widely practiced by educators, even without the awareness that they are actually promoting Social-emotional learning. It’s important to explore learning different learning methods and find out what will work best for your students and schools.

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