Social-Emotional Learning

How schools can help children learn to understand and manage their emotions, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions

See also: Life Skills

Image of happy and unhappy face symbols.
ThitareeSarmkasat/iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being States Look to Social-Emotional Learning to Combat Student Misbehavior, Poor Mental Health
Experts say SEL can be a first line of defense against youth mental health problems and misbehavior, but political resistance continues.
Libby Stanford, September 15, 2023
6 min read
Image of young students in a classroom
Parker Davis and Alina Lopez, right, talk about words and acts that cause happiness during morning circle in teacher Susannah Young's 2nd grade class at Lincoln Elementary School in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, May 4, 2017. Social-emotional learning has been found in research to have a positive effect on students' behavior, but it's not a quick fix for misbehavior.
Ramin Rahimian for Education Week-File
School Climate & Safety 4 Tips to Keep Students' Misbehavior From Sapping Up Class Time
Students' misbehavior has become one of educators' top concerns. Schools need a more deliberate approach to handle it, an expert says.
Caitlynn Peetz, September 12, 2023
6 min read
Image of dissatisfied, neutral, satisfied.
ThitareeSarmkasat/iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Q&A Homeless Students Come Into School With Above-Average Social-Emotional Skills, Study Finds
University of San Diego researchers evaluated the SEL skills of students at a school in the city that serves homeless students.
Lauraine Langreo, September 1, 2023
4 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Student Well-Being Sponsor
Using Data to Guide Effective Tier 2 and Tier 3 SEB Interventions
In an MTSS framework, educators are guided to provide whole child supports with an initial focus on addressing any Tier 1 needs present in the district, school, grade, or class.
Content provided by Renaissance
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Student Well-Being Opinion How to Distinguish Good SEL From the Dreck
Effective social-emotional-learning curricula are intentionally designed, tested, and rooted in the most recent field research.
Rick Hess, August 31, 2023
6 min read
mindfulness opinion 1395895552 b ly
Jorm Sangsorn/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Student Well-Being Opinion Mindfulness in the Classroom: Strengthen Students' Focus in 3 Minutes a Day
Mindfulness exercises are easy to teach and to learn, writes a veteran educator.
Lisa Mazinas, August 22, 2023
4 min read
This artist sketch depicts former President Donald Trump, center, conferring with defense lawyer Todd Blanche, left, during his appearance at the Federal Courthouse in Washington on Aug. 3, 2023, as Trump defense lawyer John Lauro faces U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith sits at far left. Trump pleaded not guilty in Washington’s federal court to charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election.
This artist sketch depicts former President Donald Trump, center, conferring with defense lawyer Todd Blanche, left, during his appearance at the Federal Courthouse in Washington on Aug. 3, 2023, as Trump defense lawyer John Lauro faces U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya. Trump pleaded not guilty to charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election.
Dana Verkouteren via AP
Social Studies Trump's Latest Indictment: 4 Takeaways for Educators
The former president's latest indictment presents an opportunity for teachers to discuss another set of unprecedented events with students.
Libby Stanford, August 4, 2023
4 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Student Well-Being Opinion SEL Allies and Foes Alike Deserve Tough Scrutiny
How should the education community respond to ideologues on both sides of the issue?
Rick Hess, August 1, 2023
3 min read
Fourth-grade students Briley Williams, 9, left, and Jacqueline Naula, 9, work together in their English Language Arts class at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, Conn., on Dec. 9, 2022. School accountability measures show Meriden schools making academic gains including attendance and addressing social-emotional learning needs.
Fourth-grade students Briley Williams, 9, left, and Jacqueline Naula, 9, work together in their English/language arts class at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, Conn., on Dec. 9, 2022. Meriden schools have made progress on attendance and addressing social-emotional learning needs.
Dave Zajac/Record-Journal via AP
Student Well-Being Social-Emotional Learning Persists Despite Political Backlash
Social-emotional learning has generated a political backlash, but states are keeping SEL in their standards.
7 min read
Photo of elementary school teacher working closely with student.
SolStock/Getty
Student Well-Being What New Research Shows About the Link Between Achievement and SEL
A study analyzed assessments of SEL skills and math and reading performance.
Lauraine Langreo, July 7, 2023
2 min read
Illustration of a group of individual students in an abstract textural background
Education Week + DigitalVision Vectors + iStock/Getty Images
Student Well-Being Students Doodle. How Teachers Can Use That Habit to Teach Mindfulness
Students often doodle—sometimes to fidget, to focus, or just to stay awake in class. The habit can frustrate teachers.
Arianna Prothero, June 28, 2023
2 min read
Kraft
Houston Kraft
Teaching Profession Opinion How Teacher Confidence and Emotional Regulation Can Drive Student Success
Educators also need support for their own emotional development in order to sufficiently support their students.
Houston Kraft & Jenni Donohoo, June 25, 2023
5 min read
Students in the hiking club take an early morning walk around the Odyssey School grounds with Outreach Program Coordinator Kate McElderry, who leads the club, before the start of the school day on March 30, 2023.
Students in a hiking club take an early morning walk around the Odyssey School grounds in Lutherville, Md., with Outreach Program Coordinator Kate McElderry, before the start of the school day on March 30, 2023.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Special Education Schools for Students With Dyslexia Also Promote Social Emotional Resilience. Here's How
Superstar guests, taekwondo lessons, and other offerings give dyslexic students hope and confidence.
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 14, 2023
4 min read
Photo of shadow of children holding hands.
iStock / Getty
Student Well-Being How After-School Programs Can Support Students' Academic and Social-Emotional Needs
Two experts discuss the role of after-school programming in developing students' academic and social skills.
Lauraine Langreo, June 8, 2023
3 min read