What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
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Social emotional learning (SEL) is a methodology that helps students of all ages to better comprehend their emotions, to feel those emotions fully, and demonstrate empathy for others.
The following descriptions of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) are from CASEL (collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning). They address five broad, interrelated areas of competence and provide examples for each: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making
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The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes capacities to recognize one’s strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.
Such as:
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Integrating personal and social identities
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Identifying personal, cultural, and linguistic assets
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Identifying one’s emotions
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Demonstrating honesty and integrity
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Linking feelings, values, and thoughts
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Examining prejudices and biases
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Experiencing self-efficacy
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Having a growth mindset
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Developing interests and a sense of purpose
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The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.
Such as:
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Managing one’s emotions
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Identifying and using stress-management strategies
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Exhibiting self-discipline and self-motivation
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Setting personal and collective goals
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Using planning and organizational skills
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Showing the courage to take initiative
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Demonstrating personal and collective agency (a group/person’s perceived ability to establish goals or shared interest and take action to attain those goals/interests)
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The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.
Such as:
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Managing one’s emotions
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Identifying and using stress-management strategies
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Exhibiting self-discipline and self-motivation
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Setting personal and collective goals
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Using planning and organizational skills
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Showing the courage to take initiative
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Demonstrating personal and collective agency (a group/person’s perceived ability to establish goals or shared interest and take action to attain those goals/interests)
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The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the capacities to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, navigate settings with differing social and cultural demands and opportunities, provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed.
Such as:
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Communicating effectively
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Developing positive relationships
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Demonstrating cultural competency
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Practicing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving
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Resolving conflicts constructively
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Resisting negative social pressure
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Showing leadership in groups
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Seeking or offering support and help when needed
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Standing up for the rights of others
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The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. This includes the capacity to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being.
Such as:
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Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness
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Learning how to make a reasoned judgment after analyzing information, data, and facts
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Identifying solutions for personal and social problems
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Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one’s actions
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Recognizing how critical thinking skills are useful both inside and outside of school
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Reflecting on one’s role to promote personal, family, and community well-being
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Evaluating personal, interpersonal, community, and institutional impacts
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Benefits of SEL
- We know from a large body of research on SEL that high-quality SEL programming leads to improved academic performance, decreases in anxiety and behavior issues, among other benefits.
- We also know from research beyond the traditional SEL field that there are additional insights to be gained that are relevant to SEL.
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Framework
The Fullerton School District uses the framework developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as a foundation for Social-Emotional Learning. CASEL is a trusted source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL).
CASEL’s SEL framework fosters knowledge, skills, and attitudes across five areas of competence and multiple key settings to establish equitable learning environments that advance students’ learning and development.