Social and Emotional Learning

What is Social and Emotional learning (SEL)?

Social and emotional learning is something that should be incorporated in all classrooms and grade levels. Students need to have their social and emotional needs met before they can thrive in learning academic content. If a student is struggling with something emotionally it can be difficult for them to put their thoughts into words. This is something that students need to be taught, they need to learn how to process their feelings. One way to teach students to communicate their feelings and learn to regulate their emotions is through conscious discipline. 


What does social and emotional learning look like in a classroom?

It looks like students working together, sharing their thoughts and feelings. Teachers checking in on their students and supporting them through whatever they are going through.







Ways to use social and emotional learning

• Calm Down corners
• Sensory bottles
• Allowing students to reflect through art and writing
• Building a community of learners who care about each others’ wellbeing
• Daily student teacher check ins

How to apply this to academic learning?

The best way to apply social and emotional learning to academic learning is by teaching the students how to be responsible for their actions and learning. Set goals for your students to strive for. Make sure these goals are high but still attainable, and don’t forget to celebrate the small victories. If a student is having a struggle day give them some space to feel their feelings; be warm and comforting. You should also be encouraging responsible and positive behaviors.

The time machine method

1. We all make mistakes and sometimes a redo would be nice. The time machine method gives students a chance to go back, reflect, and solve the problem that they might not have dealt with in the best way.
2. Have students turn back time by using a hand motion.
3. Wish each other well. Have the students encourage each other to be creative problem solvers and solution finders.
4. Identify a goal and create some sort of class chant or mantra such as “1.2.3. Let’s do It!”
5. Have the students take a deep breath and relax.
6. Give the students sentence starters to aid them in using their words to express their feelings.

Apps to help you set a a social and emotional learning area

Superbetter: players set goals, uses video game-like progression to reward healthy behavior

Smiling mind: guided meditation, great for students who have trouble concentrating

Peakapak: 4-week curriculum with 2-3 lessons per week, stories and interactive games to build self-regulation and empathy

Avokiddo: dress up and take care of silly characters while learning essential emotional skills