The Impact of Social-Emotional Learning for Students

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

Envision a nurturing environment where students are empowered with the understanding that their feelings are not something to be ashamed of or dismissed. That is exactly what social-emotional learning (SEL) is all about and it is one of the most beneficial educational methods to help support the mental health of many students.

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

SEL is an educational approach that recognizes the importance of developing essential social and emotional skills alongside academic knowledge. It encompasses a range of competencies, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. SEL equips students with the tools they need to navigate challenges, manage stress, and thrive in both their personal and academic lives.

The Five Core Competencies of SEL:

(Framework source: CASEL // Photo edited on Canva)

Social-emotional learning encompasses a range of skills, habits, and mindsets essential for personal and social development. Different school communities may prioritize specific SEL competencies based on student needs or the district's vision for student success. But while there are various competencies, many school districts begin with the following framework identified by Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

  • Self-Awareness - Recognizing and understanding our emotions, strengths, limitations, and values.

  • Self-Management - Regulating our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors constructively.

  • Social Awareness - Empathically perceiving and understanding the emotions, perspectives, and needs of others.

  • Relationship Skills - Effective communication, active listening, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

  • Responsible Decision-Making - Making caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.

Why Is SEL Important?

Photo by Katerina Holmes

SEL has gained immense significance in the education sector, and rightly so. Research has shown that it is not just academic excellence that makes a student successful in life; it is also the development of social and emotional competencies. Let’s take a closer look at what the research says: 

  • Improves Academic Performance: A study conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago found that students who participate in SEL programs show an 11-percentile point increase in their academic performance compared to those who do not participate in such programs.

  • Reduces Behavioral Problems: Studies have demonstrated that students who participate in SEL programs exhibit reduced behavioral problems such as substance abuse, aggression, and delinquency. 

  • Improves Mental Health: SEL programs have shown improved mental health outcomes in students. Particularly, reduced anxiety and depression symptoms by 10% and increased resilience. 

  • Boosts Life Outcomes: According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Public Health, students who participate in SEL programs are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college or university, and maintain employment.

STEAM Ahead & SEL:

At STEAM Ahead, we believe that every child deserves access to quality education and support for their social-emotional development. Since 2018, our organization has been dedicated to fulfilling this mission. Our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs and initiatives focus on technical skill development, social-emotional learning, and community building. We firmly believe that students need a well-rounded education to succeed in today's world, which is why our programs integrate both technical and life skills.

Our Summer Learning Academies have dedicated SEL learning blocks where SEL instructors work closely with students to help them develop an integrated sense of understanding that their feelings are not a bad thing to have. Students are learning to identify big problems from small ones and how to control and properly express their emotions. These key life skills are teaching students how to resolve conflicts, manage stress and improve their overall mental health.

If you'd like to learn more about how STEAM Ahead is implementing SEL, please visit our website at www.westeamahead.org/. 

STEAM Ahead