SEL is about developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to become successful citizens. When SEL is effectively incorporated in elementary education, children can be better equipped to
- identify and manage their emotions and choices
- build and maintain relationships
- recognize and make responsible decisions
- show empathy to others
Children gain confidence in themselves as individuals to positively contribute at home, at school, and in the community.
A Comprehensive Definition
In 2020, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) updated their definition of SEL to include the following:
“Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.
SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.”
Why Is SEL Important?
1
Greater Sense of Belonging
Research has shown that teaching students social and emotional skills helps create a safer school and more-supportive school climate. When students feel safe and supported at school, they have a greater sense of belonging.
2
Positive School Culture
A principal mission of the QuaverSEL elementary curriculum is to help schools in Creating a Culture of Caring. We believe all students should feel a sense of belonging and connectedness in their school community. When students feel valued and cared for, they are happier and achieve more academically.
3
Stronger Academic Performance
When explicitly teaching SEL, students’ academic performance increased by 11 points. Additionally, other school data points such as attendance, test scores, and grades are all positively related to SEL support and development.
4
Enhanced Emotional Regulation
Students who are taught social and emotional skills have more-positive attitudes toward themselves, others, and tasks, including enhanced self-efficacy, confidence, persistence, empathy, connection and commitment to school, and a sense of purpose.
5
Greater Sense of Empathy
Students begin to internalize beliefs and values and caring and concern for others as they are taught, and begin to master, SEL competencies.
Research has shown that teaching students social and emotional skills helps create a safer school and more-supportive school climate. When students feel safe and supported at school, they have a greater sense of belonging.
A principal mission of the QuaverSEL elementary curriculum is to help schools in Creating a Culture of Caring. We believe all students should feel a sense of belonging and connectedness in their school community. When students feel valued and cared for, they are happier and achieve more academically.
When explicitly teaching SEL, students’ academic performance increased by 11 points. Additionally, other school data points such as attendance, test scores, and grades are all positively related to SEL support and development.
Students who are taught social and emotional skills have more-positive attitudes toward themselves, others, and tasks, including enhanced self-efficacy, confidence, persistence, empathy, connection and commitment to school, and a sense of purpose.
Students begin to internalize beliefs and values and caring and concern for others as they are taught, and begin to master, SEL competencies.