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What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) helps children and adults understand their feelings, set goals, build positive relationships, and make responsible choices. Learning these skills helps kids do well in school and in life.

SEL Starts at Home and Continues at School

Families are a child’s first teachers! Parents and caregivers show children how to understand emotions, learn new things, and show care for others. School activities and classroom lessons teach students how to build awareness of their emotions, persevere through challenges, show empathy, resolve conflicts, and contribute to the community.

When students feel comfortable at school, it’s easier for them to learn because the neurological networks in their brains become stronger. Emotions and relationships influence memory and positive behaviors. Research tells us that SEL skills are important for academics and success in career and civic life.

SEL at School

Students learn social emotional skills throughout the school day in four main ways:

• Creating safe and welcoming schoolwide environments
• Fostering a sense of belonging through classroom practices
• Integrating academics and social emotional skills
• Teaching SEL lessons 

WA SEL Standards

We focus on the six SEL Skills identified by WA SEL Standards developed by WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

1. Self-Awareness
   Identifying one’s emotions, personal assets, areas for growth, and potential external resources and supports
2. Self-Management
   Regulating emotions, thoughts, and behaviors
3. Self-Efficacy
   Motivating oneself to persevere, and see oneself as capable
4. Social Awareness
   Taking the perspective of and empathizing with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures
5. Social Management
   Making safe and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions
6. Social Engagement
   Considering others and showing a desire to contribute to the well-being of school and community

SEL Programs

Schools in our district use a number of programs to support Social Emotional Learning, which may include:

• Second Step
• CharacterStrong
• Random Acts of Kindness 
• SEE Learning
• Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility 
• RULER

How Schools and Families Can Work Together to Support SEL

• Talk about students’ strengths, culture, emotional needs, friendships, and family supports
• Share information about classroom social emotional lessons and activities
• Connect with other families to discuss the academic and social emotional well-being of children

Ways to Grow SEL Skills at Home

Parents and caregivers teach social emotional skills by being positive role models and using everyday moments to practice skills like empathy and problem solving. The following simple suggestions for SEL at home can help your family grow social emotional skills during daily activities.