You have probably heard a lot about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lately and are wondering what that really means. SEL is an acronym for Social and Emotional Learning. Based on CASEL (a national leadership team who purposes to advance the science and practice of SEL), “social and emotional learning enhances students’ capacity to integrate skills, attitudes, and behaviors to deal effectively and ethically with daily tasks and challenges.” There are five core competencies.
Click here to view a video from CASEL that further explains the competencies and provides suggestions on how to continue to implement these important skills at home. Parents and families are critical partners in helping your children develop social and emotional know-how. You can model the kinds of skills, attitudes, and behaviors we want all students to master. And you can be important advocates for SEL at school.
Students are being exposed to SEL in their classes with their teacher and with the Social Services team. As they share what they are learning, please dive deeper with them on the topics, explore SEL together, and seize those teachable moments about your life lessons and those that will become your child’s.
Understand the benefits of SEL are:
- Better academic performance
- Improved attitudes and behaviors
- Less negative behaviors
- Reduced emotional stress
For additional SEL parent resources check out:
https://casel.org/in-the-home-3/web/
https://www.edutopia.org/SEL-parents-resources
https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/about-the-blog/
The Main Street Academy's Social Services Team
Kyri Harris Hadiyah Johnson Ebony Howard
School Counselor School Social Worker Counseling Intern