More than two decades ago, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) introduced the concept of social and emotional learning (SEL) to help students reach their full potential. Today, extensive research indicates the efficacy of SEL in reducing bullying and drug use and improving academic performance across student populations.
CASEL’s framework encourages the integration of CASEL 5 into classrooms, families, and communities. CASEL 5 comprises self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, all taught in age-appropriate ways from childhood to adulthood.
Preschoolers, for example, may begin practicing self-awareness by learning to identify different emotions, while older students may engage in discussions to help them identify biases and prejudices. All children can cultivate a growth mindset, which tells them they can develop talents and qualities through effort.
The benefits of SEL are well-documented. Students who engage in SEL show improved behaviors and academic outcomes. According to a 2011 landmark meta-analysis of 213 studies involving more than 270,000 students, SEL interventions increased academic performance by 11 percent. Additionally, students in SEL programs displayed an improved ability to manage stress and had more positive attitudes about themselves. More recently, a 2021 meta-analysis indicated that SEL interventions reduce anxiety and depression among young people, while alternate interventions, such as mindfulness interventions, have inconsistent or limited impact.
Research indicates that the benefits of SEL interventions endure after the class or workshop ends. A 2017 study followed students who had engaged in SEL learning and measured a positive correlation between the skills they had acquired and higher levels of well-being up to 18 years after the class.
SEL interventions are effective in diverse cultural contexts, which makes them valuable additions to nearly any curriculum. A 2017 meta-analysis of 82 studies found that a SEL approach worked well with multiple demographic groups inside and outside the United States. Further, the study looked at the impact of generic and customized SEL strategies and found that the greatest impact came when educators designed the curriculum with a specific culture or context. This indicates the increased impact of SEL when tailored to specific needs.
Educators should consider the lifetime benefits of a SEL curriculum for their students. A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Public Health indicates statistically significant associations between SEL interventions in kindergarten and lifetime outcomes. Specifically, children who learned SEL skills early in life had lower rates of police involvement, detention, public assistance, and public housing as adults.
SEL interventions for middle school students can be particularly helpful since preadolescents are navigating emotional challenges such as bullying, peer pressure, and stressful transitions. For example, middle school teachers could teach a lesson on “trusting the inner compass” to help students cultivate an inner sense of what is right and wrong. Learning to integrate the wisdom of their minds and bodies, students can practice making smart choices, setting healthy boundaries, and learning to trust themselves.
Another SEL exercise for middle school students, learning a new dance, could build teamwork and collaboration. Working in small teams, students could create a dance sequence while encouraging healthy movement and skillful communication.
