Social Emotional Learning: A K-12 Guide

In today’s complex educational landscape, nurturing students’ emotional and social well-being is just as pivotal as encouraging academic achievement. This guide dives deep into social and emotional learning (SEL), its vital role in holistic education, and how edtech platforms transform how educators approach SEL. 

What is the definition of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)? 

SEL is a holistic approach to education and human development championed by institutions like the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).  

At its core, SEL is the process where both young individuals and adults develop and refine their capabilities to form healthy identities, efficiently manage their emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, show genuine empathy, establish supportive relationships, and make caring, informed decisions. 

SEL matters in the educational landscape because it equips students with the tools for real-world challenges—from self-awareness and self-control to resilience in the face of adversity. SEL also offers a deeper look into students’ beliefs about their intelligence, interpersonal skills, and academic skills, directly influencing short-term outcomes like attendance and behavior. Over time, SEL can impact longer-term markers of educational achievement, including grades, assessment, graduation, and readiness for life beyond the classroom. 

The 5 Core Competencies of SEL 

SEL revolves around five core competencies, each critical in creating a holistic student learning experience. These competencies are the foundation upon which students (and teachers) develop well-rounded, empathetic, and adaptive approaches to life and learning, setting the stage for applicable skills across many aspects of their lives.  

1. Self-awareness 

Self-awareness is the foundation, emphasizing recognizing one’s emotions, strengths, and limitations. In a classroom, this awareness shapes students’ understanding of how they impact others, nurturing self-confidence and self-esteem. A simple reflection like, “How am I feeling, and why?” can be transformative. 

2. Self-management 

Self-management is the art of emotional and goal regulation. It’s vital, especially in diverse classroom settings, for students to prioritize, demonstrate patience, and find individual and group motivation. Students should be encouraged to voice when they’re confused or overwhelmed. 

3. Responsible decision-making 

Responsible decision-making extends the scope from the self to the community. Students learn that the choices they make resonate beyond their personal spheres. By exploring questions like, “How will my decision affect others?” they evolve to be more equitable and compassionate thinkers.  

4. Social awareness 

Social awareness supports an outward curiosity, urging students to immerse themselves in the experiences of others’ lives. By being good listeners with open minds, they cultivate empathy and sensitivity. This encourages them to notice and inquire, “What might someone else be feeling or needing right now?” 

5. Relationship skills 

Lastly, relationship skills emphasize effective communication. Engaging in genuine conversations, raising concerns, and respectfully resolving conflicts strengthens students’ interpersonal skills. Questions like, “What did you mean by that?” or statements like, “I disagree because…” shape these interactions.  

These five competencies are the backbone of properly teaching and understanding SEL in schools. Especially during challenging times, these competencies offer students the tools to navigate change and transition.  

4 Ways Schools Benefit from Social-Emotional Learning 

SEL is backed by substantial research showcasing the broad and extensive value for students, educators, and school communities. Here are the top four ways schools can benefit from SEL. 

1. SEL leads to improved academic achievement  

Introducing SEL in education accelerates academic learning, especially when students experience supportive relationships and develop social-emotional skills. Research spanning over a million PK-12 students worldwide has indicated that SEL directly impacts academic achievements positively. This is reflected in improved grades, test scores, attendance, and more disciplined homework habits—higher levels of “school functioning.” SEL cultivates skills that bolster student engagement, leading to enhanced academic outcomes.  

2. SEL contributes to healthy well-being and safe schools  

Although SEL isn’t a substitute for specialized mental health interventions, it encourages preventative and protective factors like caring relationships and emotional skillsets, creating safeguards against mental health challenges. Benefits include boosting coping abilities and resilience and, in the short term, alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. There’s also an observable increase in feelings of safety, rapport with educators, and a heightened sense of inclusivity in school environments. Notably, SEL plays a significant role in curbing bullying and aggressive behaviors. 

3. SEL develops skills that promote future readiness  

Students engaging in SEL programs consistently enhance their social-emotional skills, translating into positive long-term outcomes up to 18 years later. These skills are instrumental in achieving milestones like high school graduation, enrolling and completing post-secondary education, and securing stable, full-time employment. 

4. SEL benefits adults, too  

SEL’s reach extends beyond students. There’s evidence highlighting its positive influence on educators. Fostering social and emotional competence among educators leads to enhanced job satisfaction and reduced burnout. A strong SEL emphasis helps fortify relationships between educators and students, contributing to better classroom management. Additionally, educators teaching SEL often report a heightened sense of job effectiveness and reduced work-related anxieties. 

How can teachers support social emotional learning in the classroom?  

Social-emotional learning flourishes when students feel a genuine sense of safety, allowing them to be authentic at school. While some educators may feel that the domain of SEL might be out of their wheelhouse, the reality is that elements of SEL are likely already interwoven into their day-to-day teachings. 

Introducing deliberate and engaging strategies for social-emotional learning doesn’t have to be complex. Given that SEL naturally fits with numerous classroom interactions—from collaboration and communication to active listening and decision-making—framing these experiences within an SEL context can help students recognize and appreciate the skills they’re honing. 

Jennifer Winters, an English language arts teacher at Carver Vocational-Technical High School in Baltimore, MD, says, “[Students] are not just working towards graduation, they’re also on a path of self-discovery and are continually figuring out who they are, both as individuals and within their communities. Robust SEL activities are vital tools for teachers as we accompany students on their journeys to adulthood. As an English teacher, I can construct SEL activities that not only help us work through challenging issues and reinforce personal strengths but also increase proficiency in reading, writing, and analytical thinking.”  

For educators and stakeholders keen on introducing or expanding SEL within their environments, the CASEL Framework is a valuable resource. It offers evidence-based social-emotional strategies tailored to fit different schools and communities’ unique cultural and communal contexts.

10 Ways Teachers Can Incorporate Social-Emotional Learning Every Day 

SEL allows educators to embrace a holistic teaching approach, offering a deeper understanding of each student’s unique challenges and strengths. Here are 10 ways teachers can incorporate SEL every day. 

1. Begin the day with a check-in 

Initiating the day with a simple check-in system, like a stoplight color code or emoji chart, offers students an immediate way to communicate their emotional state as they walk into the classroom. 

2. Encourage a culture of compassion and mutual respect 

Amidst academic pressures, it’s vital to celebrate every student’s effort and achievements, reinforcing a nurturing, supportive atmosphere. 

3. Conduct regular class meetings  

Regular class meetings ensure every student feels valued and heard. Teachers can support a sense of community and ownership by discussing successes and areas of improvement and granting students a say in classroom decisions. 

4. Embrace and understand cultural differences 

Promoting an understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures, backgrounds, and abilities prepares students for a globalized world. Early dialogues on diversity can instill values of tolerance, acceptance, and inclusivity. 

5. Facilitate team-based activities 

Collaborative activities enable students to practice SEL skills in real time. Strategic pairings, like teaming up an extroverted student with a more reserved one, can provide insights into individual strengths and growth areas. 

6. Introduce mindfulness practices 

Teachers can encourage students to remain present and attuned to their physical and mental states through breathing exercises, sensory activities, or observing their environment.  

7. Incorporate reflective journaling  

Writing prompts cater to students who struggle with verbal expression, offering an alternative medium to articulate their feelings and thoughts. 

8. Encourage students to track their development  

Regular personal goal-setting across various dimensions fosters a sense of responsibility. Encouraging students to assess and recalibrate their objectives routinely nurtures self-awareness and proactive behavior. 

9. Address emotional regular and awareness  

Engaging students in discussions about emotions, using both literature and real-life scenarios, provides valuable insights into emotional regulation. Sharing strategies to manage feelings, especially during high-stress moments, equips students with coping tools. 

10. End the day with purposeful reflection  

Concluding the day with a brief collective reflection can instill a sense of closure and anticipation for the next day. Discussing daily achievements, expressing gratitude, or setting intentions for the following day can create a cohesive classroom community. 

Incorporating SEL daily allows teachers to tap into the multifaceted dimensions of their students, creating an environment where academic and emotional growth come together seamlessly. Through these practices, educators can enrich the learning journey, ensuring students are equipped with academic knowledge and essential life skills. 

5 Lesson Ideas for Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom 

It doesn’t matter if a student is in math, art, or English classes—SEL can be seamlessly integrated into any content area. Here are lesson ideas tailored to each SEL pillar.  

Self-Awareness Reflection  

Invite students to consider what they’ve uncovered about themselves over the past year. Have them highlight areas of personal growth and link these to a growth mindset perspective. Then, let them ponder how this growth aligns with their future aspirations and interests. 

Self-Management and Mindfulness  

Encourage students to focus on their breathing, inhaling, and exhaling at a steady pace. When their thoughts drift, instruct them to visualize these stray thoughts as trains briefly stopping at a station before moving on, redirecting their attention back to their breath. 

Navigating Decision-Making  

Narrate your career journey to your students, emphasizing the lessons learned with each decision. Following this, invite them to discuss their potential paths and the potential choices they’ll face. 

Cultivating Relationship Skills  

Prompt students to engage in meaningful conversation with a significant adult in their life. The topic is open-ended, with the objective to discover common ground and understand differences. 

Social Awareness Exercise  

Ask students to research a popular tradition from a different culture and share its significance. Discuss how understanding such traditions can encourage empathy and bridge cultural divides. 

How Social-Emotional Learning Can Support K-12 Teachers  

According to a national survey, the significant rise in teachers seeking assistance for mental health highlights the importance of supporting educators. Not only do teachers need the right SEL tools, but they also need the skills and training to use them effectively. SEL can play a pivotal role in offering this support. 

Develop resilience 

For teachers to navigate the countless challenges of today’s educational landscape, resilience is necessary. By establishing a culture that encourages resilience from the top down, educators become stronger and more able to adapt and thrive amidst adversity. 

Conduct pulse checks 

Consistent check-ins with teachers can shed light on immediate concerns and areas requiring intervention. Using these insights, it’s easy to provide targeted assistance, like tech training for those struggling with the demands of digital learning. 

Equip teachers with the tools to teach SEL 

With a significant proportion of teachers expressing a desire for more SEL training, it’s evident that there’s a need. Addressing this involves offering versatile training programs that respect educators’ diverse schedules and learning preferences. Whether through synchronous or asynchronous methods, ensuring teachers access essential social-emotional training is key. 

Empower educators to make more data-driven decisions 

By integrating data analytics into the daily workflows of teachers, it’s possible to identify and address potential challenges preemptively.  

Create an SEL-supported environment throughout districts 

Creating a supportive environment for educators extends beyond the confines of the classroom. Recognizing the multiple roles many teachers play, especially those juggling parental responsibilities, means offering flexibility and resources that align with their needs. Giving special attention to the newest teachers is also beneficial and can help ensure their well-being and longevity in the profession. 

How does social-emotional learning relate to whole child education?  

Social-emotional learning and whole-child education are closely aligned in their missions to offer students comprehensive, holistic educational experiences. While both aim to provide rich learning environments, they have distinct nuances and approaches. 

Both SEL and whole-child education highlight the importance of partnerships between schools, families, and communities to motivate meaningful student engagement. These approaches emphasize creating positive school climates, nurturing relationships, prioritizing teacher well-being, and delivering quality curriculum and instruction.  

Notably, many instructional methods endorsed by both SEL and whole-child education overlap. For example, they champion strategies such as promoting collaboration, reflection, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Both can incorporate teaching techniques like project-based learning and initiatives to amplify student voices. 

3 Key Differences Between Social-Emotional Learning and Whole-Child Education 

While these two concepts share common ground, there are a few essential differences between SEL and whole-child education: 

1. Focus on Competencies: Social-emotional learning emphasizes defining and teaching social and emotional competencies explicitly, often through evidence-based programs with proven positive outcomes. In contrast, whole-child education emphasizes a broader spectrum of student needs, integrating physical education, health, safety, and counseling. 
2. Frameworks: Social-emotional learning usually integrates with school- and community-level priorities, like promoting equitable learning environments, increasing cultural awareness among educators, and supporting mental health by developing stress and anxiety management skills. On the other hand, whole-child education might encompass multiple frameworks, such as tiered interventions addressing diverse student needs. SEL is a coordinating element within these frameworks, offering a universal strategy that aligns with targeted academic and behavioral supports. 
3. Integration and Depth: While SEL focuses on the interplay of emotional, social, and academic learning, whole-child education might view these as cognitive tools enhancing knowledge and understanding. 

Ultimately, whole-child education adopts a systems view, evaluating data from various sources like academic behaviors, long-term outcomes, and intervention impacts. This method holistically serves every facet of a student’s journey, positioning them to achieve their potential academically, emotionally, and physically. SEL complements this by ensuring a universal, strengths-based approach that can help streamline targeted and intensive academic and behavioral interventions. 

Does PowerSchool have Social-Emotional Learning software? 

PowerSchool’s range of solutions and products is designed to enhance educators’ capacity to address their students’ social, emotional, and behavioral learning needs, especially within the context of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). Our edtech solutions help K-12 leaders support SEL, positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS), and MTSS, benefiting students, educators, and administrators.  

Explore PowerSchool’s software offerings related to SEL below. 

PowerSchool Insights for Social-Emotional Learning 

PowerSchool Insights is the only analytics solution geared towards educators, designed to increase their capabilities and boost student outcomes. The suite facilitates the unification of data from various sources to present a singular picture of academic progression at varying levels—district, teacher, and student.  

With PowerSchool Insights Student Essentials, educators are empowered to identify students who need extra assistance, know the specific support they need, manage the provision of such support, and gauge when students have made improvements. Additionally, this tool helps K-12 leaders understand each teacher’s student data to evaluate the impact of professional learning courses on student outcomes. 

PowerSchool Performance Matters for Social-Emotional Learning 

It’s paramount for educators to see their students’ academic and SEL data, as it contributes to more comprehensive support. PowerSchool Performance Matters offers teachers a window into each student’s academic and assessment data, aiding in crafting tailored instructions and monitoring the efficacy of MTSS endeavors. The platform’s early warning system (EWS) offers a consolidated view of multiple student performance metrics, including behavior indicators. Additionally, SEL indicators like self-awareness and responsible decision-making can be incorporated into Performance Matters, providing educators with a robust student profile to promote SEL growth and positive outcomes. 

PowerSchool Schoology Learning for SEL 

PowerSchool Schoology Learning offers educators and administrators CASEL-aligned surveys ready for deployment district-wide. They can leverage short and long SEL competency surveys and utilize an item bank comprising 138 pre-made items for custom assessments. Additionally, educators can swiftly identify at-risk students by aligning SEL data with classroom metrics and district benchmarks.   

Schoology Learning also facilitates professional development by allowing K-12 leaders to create courses or choose from pre-existing ones, ensuring quick implementation. Schools and districts can also establish Schoology Groups to emphasize SEL competencies beyond standard coursework in student organizations and professional learning communities (PLCs). 

PowerSchool Behavior Support for Social-Emotional Learning 

PowerSchool Behavior Support presents educators with tools tailor-made for SEL, MTSS, and PBIS. These evidence-based structures help amalgamate all necessary data for optimal SEL management, improving student well-being and school culture. Some features include: 

• Unified Behavior Management: Centralize all student-centric initiatives in one platform. 
• Comprehensive Child View: Gain a holistic understanding of a student’s emotional, social, and academic landscape. 
• Efficient Integration: PowerSchool’s single sign-on from Schoology Learning ensures seamless interaction management with students. 

The seamless integration from Behavior Support to PowerSchool SIS and Performance Matters eliminates manual data transfer needs, simplifying behavior and SEL management.