Social and Emotional Learning

   Social and emotional learning is the process of developing self-awareness and self-control that is vital to success. It helps students develop their own idea of what they are capable of. 

The principles of social and emotional learning are:

·       Create a safe environment.

·       Integrate social and emotional learning into all subjects.

·       Communicate with parents, administration, etc.

·       Instruct- Social and emotional learning must be taught just like math or science.

·       Empower students through positive interactions and feedback.

   Since students tend to draw to and build relationships with peers that they have similarities with, allowing them to participate in social and emotional learning strategies helps them build relationships with other classmates as well. These strategies include:

• All About Me- students can learn about one another to find common likes/dislikes
• Emotion Match- students match emotion cards and discuss what each emotion looks like. They can further this activity by discussing things that make them feel those emotions.
• Cool Down Corner- A designated area in the classroom that students can go to on their own if they need a break. 

• Hot Seat- choose a few students a day to visit the hot seat, while other students tell the student what they like about him or her.
• Morning Meetings- students welcome their peers and build one another up.

   Research has shown that social and emotional learning has many valuable benefits. Social and emotional learning teaches problem-solving skills, teamwork, collaboration, how to disagree respectfully, and coping skills. It also encourages empathy amongst students and increases self-awareness and confidence levels. According to research in one school, 29 percent of students said that their school was supportive. 83 percent proved that social and emotional learning progressed academic gains. 

What’s the best part about social and emotional learning in the classroom? 

  It’s a free way to improve academic performance by making your classroom a safe learning environment. Students begin to feel more confident and encouraged to participate in their own learning. Social and emotional learning can also reduce behavior problems because students learn how to better deal with their emotions.

Where do I start?

Integrating literature into your daily routine is one way to boost social and emotional learning. Some books include:

• Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
• The Pigeon has Feelings, Too! by Mo Willems
• Too Shy for Show and Tell by Beth Bracken
• The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
• Don’t Think about Purple Elephants by Susan Whelan