Teachers Should Know These Five Things About Social and Emotional Learning
Five Core Competencies of Social and Emotional Learning- How to Approach Social and Emotional Learning
- Best Approaches for Learning Environments
- Proof of Social and Emotional Learning Effectiveness
- Benefits of Using Social and Emotional Learning
Not all students learn in the same way, which is why these five things every teacher should know about social and emotional learning are important. When material hits a social or emotional cord with a person, they are more likely to remember what they have learned. A teacher who is new to this approach or wondering how it could benefit their students should take a look at these top five points of interest.
Five Core Competencies of Social and Emotional Learning
Teachers should know the five core competencies of social and emotional learning. Those core competencies are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision making and relationship skills. Each one of these core competencies has several aspects under it. For example, the self-awareness core competency includes knowing one’s strengths and limitations and maintaining a mindset that is prepared for growth. The responsible decision making competency involves making planned choices about personal behavior and behaving within the social norms, safety guidelines and ethical standards.
How to Approach Social and Emotional Learning
Teachers should also know the range of approaches to social and emotional learning. It should be used in all of the classroom activities, including reading time, work time, testing and lining up to go to the cafeteria or playground. It should also include time outside of school, such as at home or out in the community. Students can use what they are taught about social and emotional learning outside of the school environment, and teachers can provide encouragement.
Best Approaches for Learning Environments
While every learning environment, teacher, student and family situation is different, social and emotional learning can be a best practice for all of them. With practice, it can become ingrained in an adult’s or child’s behavior. When it becomes second-nature, students and adults will interact in ways that are more socially and emotionally cognizant. This leads to more equal, supportive and welcoming places to learn.
Proof of Social and Emotional Learning Effectiveness
According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning organization, 20 years of research into social and emotional learning shows that students who participated in evidence-based programs gained 11 percent in their academic achievement. In behavioral studies, students demonstrated lower dropout rates and fewer problems with behavior in the classroom. Students in social and emotional learning programs also experienced lower rates of drug use, teen pregnancy, criminal behavior and mental health disorders. For every $1 invested in social and emotional learning programs, schools get an $11 return.
Benefits of Using Social and Emotional Learning
There are benefits to teachers, students, families and communities when social and emotional learning programs are put into work in the classroom. Students experience less depression and are better able to manage symptoms of anxiety. The effect of social and emotional learning extends well into the student’s adult years, lowering their rates of emotional problems, criminal activity and drug use for at least 18 years. Students in these programs have a lower risk of poverty and imprisonment during their adult years of life.
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Becoming familiar with different learning methods allows a teacher to expand their set of skills. Familiarity with a wide range of learning methods also makes it possible for a teacher to have a more successful experience with students who do not learn in the traditional way of reading a textbook. Each of these five things every teacher should know about social and emotional learning can be reviewed in depth if the teacher decides that this approach could benefit their students.
