Social and emotional learning programs
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
Research shows that social and emotional learning (SEL) leads to:
- increased positive attitudes
- prosocial behaviour
- improved well-being and academic learning.
It also reduces social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties such as:
- anxiety
- depression
- suicide
- substance abuse
- and anti-social behaviour
SEL can help young people in dealing with adverse circumstances in a constructive way, thereby promoting wellbeing and fulfillment (Gedikoglu, 2021).
Furthermore, SEL programs can enhance confidence, increase engagement in shool, reduce conduct problems while promoting desirable bahaviours.
In the long run, greater social competence will most likely lead to positive relationships and better mental health, improving general wellbeing. The focus of such educational approach is to integrate thinking, emotion and behavior to effectively deal with everyday personal and social challenges.
Competences built through learning:
Understanding your own emotions, values and personal goals, assessing strengths and limitations
Skills that help regulate emotions and behaviors, manage stress, control impulses
Take the perspective of others, emphatize and act with compassion
Tools to establish and maintain healthy relationships, clear communication, active listening, cooperating, negotiating conflict, seeking help
Consideration of ethical standards, safety and norms for risky behaviour
A universal approach to SEL should be accompanied by targeted interventions for vulnerable students who may need additional support (Cefai, 2022).