social-emotional learning (SEL)
Last updatedDefinition
Social-emotional learning, or social and emotional learning, often shorthanded as SEL, refers to the learning of concepts like stress management, impulse control, problem-solving, and clear communication, to help understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
The concept of SEL in education has been around since at least the 1970s, but the term did not gain widespread acceptance in the field of education until the 1990s, with the publication of seminal works such as Daniel Goleman’s “Emotional Intelligence” and the creation of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
Over time, the definition and use of the term SEL have evolved. Initially, SEL was seen as a set of skills that could be taught separately from academic content; now, the consensus among researchers and practitioners is that SEL is more effective when integrated into everyday classroom activities and curriculums. Additionally, SEL has expanded beyond education to include workplaces and other community settings. In 2021, the US Department of Education announced new resources to provide support to schools and educators seeking to implement SEL practices.
Debate continues around what term should be used to describe this field of study and practice. Some argue that the term “social and emotional learning” should be combined with terms such as “healing-centered” to better communicate the importance of these skills for student learning and well-being, and to account for the impact of systemic conditions that undermine educational equity.
The concept of SEL has become part of larger controversies around what can or should be taught in schools, with critics arguing SEL is being used to “indoctrinate” students to progressive cultural values. This has led to initiatives in at least two dozen states attempting to restrict SEL.
Helpful context would describe the potential effects of these proposed restrictions and how the concept of social-emotional learning has in some instances become divorced from the term itself as a buzzword stoking political divides. It may also be useful to ground coverage in the specific practices and activities being taught in the learning environment you’re reporting on, so the audience can base their understanding on the concrete experiences of students and teachers.
Additional resources
- How social-emotional learning became a frontline in the battle against CRT (NPR)
- Teaching social-emotional skills amid Covid-19 (Education Week)
- Demystifying social-emotional learning and the controversy surrounding it (EdSurge)
Summary
Social-emotional learning, or social and emotional learning, often shorthanded as SEL, refers to the learning of concepts like stress management, impulse control, problem-solving, and clear communication, to help understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. The concept of SEL has become part of larger controversies around what can or should be taught in schools, with critics arguing SEL is being used to “indoctrinate” students to progressive cultural values. This has led to initiatives in at least two dozen states attempting to restrict SEL. Helpful context would describe the potential effects of these proposed restrictions and how the concept of social-emotional learning has in some instances become divorced from the term itself as a buzzword stoking political divides. It may also be useful to ground coverage in the specific practices and activities being taught in the learning environment you’re reporting on, so the audience can base their understanding on the concrete experiences of students and teachers.