Social and Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning allows children to develop self-regulation, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. Children must be able to self manage, become socially aware, build relationships, and make responsible decision to be successful in school, work, and life. Many assume that these social and emotional skills are less important than academic skills such as reading and math, but that is not the case. These interpersonal skills are just as important as their academic skills. Without the ability to self-regulate, make responsible decisions, and maintain relationships, students will not be able to succeed academically. Not only do these skills help students academically, but they also help them socially. Children that experience social and emotional learning are less likely to be bullied due to the fact that they will be able to make more friends. They will have the social and emotional skills needed to maintain friendships. Studies show that 83% of students that have gone through an SEL program improved academically. 11% of students have average gains academically, and 11% of students have a higher GPA. There are many, many strategies to be used to develop students’ social and emotional learning. For Kindergarten, “All About Me” activities, a home living, center, and emotion matching games are great to develop those interpersonal and self-regulation skills. After moving into first grade, you may want to add a read aloud such as “The Pigeon Has Feelings Too” by Mo Willems.
Social and Emotional Learning has “Five Guiding Principles,”
1.Create
2.Integrate
3.Communicate
4.Instruct
5.Empower
 Within my classroom, read alouds will play a major role in my students’ social and emotional learning. Read alouds are great across all grade levels, even the older students. My focus will be on building a community within my classroom with ample opportunities for teamwork and collaboration. I will also encourage positive self-talk and mindfulness through hands-on crafts and activities. For older students, I will provide journals in which they have the freedom to write about whatever they desire with confidence that their work will remain personal and confidential, unless they feel the need to share. Children of all ages need to develop their social and emotional learning inside and outside of the classroom, and I intend on becoming a teacher that holds SEL to a high standard in my classroom.