Brains, Hearts, and Test Scores - Why SEL is the Real MVP in the Classroom
Building Students Through SEL
Social-emotional learning (SEL) integration is becoming more than a fad in today's schools. It's a game-changing strategy that promotes academic achievement and emotional development.
Research shows that SEL significantly impacts academic performance despite its frequent use as a tool for developing emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
What is SEL, and why does it matter?
Through developing critical abilities, including self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills, SEL assists students in overcoming obstacles both within and outside the classroom.
When emotionally supported, students interact with academic material more successfully and have enhanced cognitive ability. SEL improves fundamental subjects rather than replaces them.
The Academic Benefits of SEL
According to a thorough meta-analysis by Durlak et al. (2011), students who took part in SEL programs saw an average improvement in their academic achievement of 11%.
This study emphasizes that SEL creates a supportive learning atmosphere where students are encouraged to take chances, work together, and overcome obstacles. These kinds of settings are necessary for sustained knowledge retention and cognitive engagement.
Additionally, Schonert-Reichl et al. (2015) investigated how SEL affected executive functioning, which includes memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. According to the study, SEL treatments greatly enhance these abilities, enabling kids to perform exceptionally well on assignments requiring flexibility and critical thinking.
How to Implement SEL in Core Content
SEL isn't an "extra" subject. It's a lens through which teachers can teach content. For instance:
In math, students can practice perseverance through challenging problems.
In language arts, analyzing characters' emotions fosters empathy and comprehension.
In science, collaborative experiments teach teamwork and conflict resolution.
The Takeaway
SEL is more than a program. It's a means of helping children reach their highest potential. By including SEL in regular sessions, teachers can establish classroom environments where academic and emotional development coexist.
References
Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta‐analysis of school‐based universal interventions. Child development, 82(1), 405-432.
Schonert-Reichl, K. A., Oberle, E., Lawlor, M. S., Abbott, D., Thomson, K., Oberlander, T. F., & Diamond, A. (2015). Enhancing cognitive and social-emotional development through a simple-to-administer mindfulness-based school program for elementary school children: A randomized controlled trial. Developmental Psychology, 51(1), 52–66.
How do you incorporate SEL into your classroom? Let's discuss it!