Enhance Student Abilities with Social and Emotional Learning

Along with academic skills students need to possess basic Social and Emotional Learning skills in order to be ready for all areas of life. The term ‘Social and Emotional Learning’ refers to the process where both students and adults learn skills, knowledge and attitudes that apply in real life situations. These skills help students learn to monitor their feelings and emotions, build healthy relationships, take responsibility for their actions and set and accomplish goals.

Teachers have the ability to not only focus on academic goals, but teach students to be well-rounded individuals that are prepared for life after school. Once teachers are aware of these important Social and Emotional Learning skills they are able to incorporate them into their instruction and lesson plans.

The following are the five core skills of Social and Emotional Learning that can be incorporated into classroom learning:

1. Self-awareness

This refers to the ability to become aware of, identify and evaluate one’s interests, values, and beliefs. It is the ability to understand one’s strengths and weaknesses, and become realistically self-confident. This skill is also useful to articulate one’s emotions and feelings that help with peer interactions.

2. Self-management

This is the ability to solve problems, deal with stress, behave rationally and work towards achieving goals. Students can learn to manage their personal time as well as their work.

3. Social awareness

This is the ability to accept similarities and differences between individuals, become sensitive to others and learn to identify and use resources within the community, family and school.

4. Relationship skills

These include the ability to build and maintain healthy and meaningful relationships within the community and at school through cooperation, learning to seek help and resolve personal problems.

5. Responsible decision making

This is the ability to consider the consequences of one’s actions, the well-being of peers, community members and family members while making choices. It is also learning to think rationally and critically before making decisions, ensuring that one’s actions and choices do not impact others negatively.

It is crucial that students learn these Social and Emotional Learning skills so that they can be set up for success in every area academically and personally.

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