SEL - Social Emotional Learning

What is Social Emotional Learning? | What will Students Learn | How it will be Approached

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an umbrella term that refers to students' "acquisition of skills to recognise and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationships, and handle challenging situations effectively" .

Briefly it refers to skills to manage self, relate to others positively and make responsible decisions.

What will our students learn?

Through SEL, our students acquire skills, knowledge and dispositions to manage self and relationships effectively and make responsible decisions essential for personal and social well-being. Research shows a strong link between SEL and student outcomes in the areas of mental well-being, character development, school success, career success and responsible citizenship.

How will SEL be approached in schools?

1. Culture of Care

SEL is taught and facilitated in the context of a safe and caring school environment.

The teaching and facilitation of social and emotional competencies, together with positive and supportive relationships within the school community, in particular, the teacher-student relationship, support and increase student learning motivation and school success.

2. Learning to Cope is An Important Part of Growing Up

We live in a stressful world, and the nation’s children and young adults are coping with new and prevalent emotional realities we can’t ignore. Research indicates that when educators work to teach learners how to alleviate and manage stress, students become more likely to learn deeply, avoid negative behaviours and achieve successful outcomes with long-term effects.

3. An Integrated Approach

SEL is a critical part of students’ learning to prepare them to live and work as adults in the 21st Century. SEL is taught within the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum in schools. Together with the core values, SEL form an integral part of MOE’s Framework for 21st Century Competencies and Student Outcomes.

References

MOE Social and Emotional Learning - https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/social-and-emotional-learning
Why We Really Need SEL Now - https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/leaders-link/social-emotional-learning-defined/
Simple SEL Classroom Strategies - https://www.weareteachers.com/21-simple-ways-to-integrate-social-emotional-learning-throughout-the-day/