What is SEL?

What is Social Emotional Learning?

Social emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which boys and girls and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for being a healthy adult. This includes problem-solving skills and communication and understanding, as well as teaching kids to embrace diversity and build healthy relationships that will last well into adulthood.

We use SEL skills when we:

• Resolve conflicts or disagreements
• Form and strengthen relationships
• Recognize and manage emotions
• Empathize with others and support them
• Collaborate in the workplace
• Interact with people with different experiences, backgrounds, and opinions

Research shows that students who engage in SEL programs like Harmony:

• Perform 13% better academically
• Experience fewer conduct problems, emotional distress, and drug use
• Graduate from high school and college at higher rates
• Have lower rates of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy
• Are less likely to experience mental health disorders
• Are less likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system

Social emotional learning is the key to succeeding in the classroom, workplace, and home.

SOURCE: Results from meta-analysis by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)