Social Emotional Learning

A parent’s guide to why teaching social emotional learning in school is as important as teaching academic skills.

This has been a year. A tough year. Covid, online learning and the stress of the starting the school year online has affected all parents. As adults, we have been able to express our frustration and concerns.

Now think about our kids. They have been online and stuck at home since March. Some are back at school wearing masks for most of the day, not being able to move around and having to stay 6ft away from friends. Ever wonder how they are feeling? How they are expressing their feelings and concerns?

If you think they are not affected by stress, you are wrong. In a recent study, 30% of teens are more worried than normal about basic needs like food, money and a place to live. Younger kids are acting out more. Kids are losing sleep because they are anxious.

This has an impact on children’s learning.

How you ask? Kids can’t process and retain new information if their brains are overwhelmed with anxiety. In other words, no matter how amazing a lesson is, or how amazing a teacher is, if a child is worried about when his mask can come off, he won’t be engaged enough to understand the lesson. Kind of like adults when we are really stressed sometimes, huh?

Here is How Social Emotional Learning Helps

Schools are now shifting to a more balanced approach of teaching both academic skills and social skills. Skills such as self-management, coping. self awareness, interpersonal skills, and managing emotions/behavior. By learning these skills, students are better equipped to manage daily challenges, being aware of emotions and using these skills to get along with others. Additionally, SEL can help reduce bullying and disciplinary incidents, making schools a safer place for all students.

• 11% improvement in academic achievement

• 10% fewer psychological, behavioral or substance abuse problems by age 25

• 42% less aggressive behaviors

• Improved classroom behaviors

• Better coping skills