What is social-emotional learning?

So we have the basics of mental health and psychosocial support. But where does social emotional learning fit in? Rena Deitz, who I introduced earlier, is here to help. So in Unit 2, Paul was saying that learning through play strengthens our social and emotional competencies, but I’m curious about the ways that that fits in with what we’ve learned so far. So Rena, what can you tell us about social emotional learning? Social-emotional learning can be a promotion and protective factor for wellbeing an mental health. Social-emotional learning encompasses all of the skills and the relationships that help one feel psychosocially well. And even better, social-emotional learning skills can be built through play. That’s why Paul talked about social emotional learning in Unit 2.

So SEL are all of the skills, competencies, values and beliefs that help you to succeed in life. So what do I mean by that? The skills and competencies are what you can do and what you know. The values and beliefs are what you value, what you find important in the world and in yourself. And all of this is encompassing the social, emotional and cognitive. So I’m kind of feeling overwhelmed because it sounds like you’re talking about everything. And it’s totally OK to be feeling overwhelmed, Carly. In fact, you just demonstrated an emotional skill. You identified an acknowledged how you were feeling in that moment. So the emotional skills and competencies include identifying and acknowledging your feelings and emotions.

Understanding and processing yours and others feelings, and being empathetic and compassionate towards others. Now we can all take a moment to process and practice our emotional skills and competencies. Think about how you’re feeling about this course. If you’re using a reflective Journal throughout the course, write down how you’re feeling about this course. I know that I’m feeling excited about sharing and learning together with all of you. Sharing and learning together. Paul said that that was an important part of SEL, right? Absolutely, and that’s part of your social skills. Social skills and competencies are being able to navigate interpersonal relationships and social situations. Being able to build strong relationships. And being able to negotiate and resolve conflicts.

And playing is a great way to develop your social skills. Think about playing with others. You learn how to negotiate, communicate with others. Share. Think for a second about the social skills that you developed when you played in your childhood and maybe even today. OK, I think I’m getting this social and emotional, but what about the learning part? Yes, the cognitive skills and competencies are those that help you to focus and pay attention. Plan, prioritize and set goals. So, a great way to build your cognitive skills is by playing a game that has different levels. So you can make a goal to get to the next level, and then you can create a plan to help you get there.

Think about what games you’re already playing with the children in your lives, that help them to build these cognitive skills. Rena, I’m loving this. Can you talk about values and where they fit into everything you’re talking about? Values are what’s important to you and the world around you. Perspectives are how you view yourself and how you view others, and this can influence how you perceive events and crises. Whether you take them as positive or negative. And identity is your understanding of who you are and what you’re able to do. This could include your confidence and your perception of whether you are able to learn something. So for example, think about the best athlete or musician you can think of.

If they were super skilled but didn’t value that sport or that instrument, and they didn’t believe they were good, believe that they continued to excel, they probably wouldn’t have gotten where they are, and become the amazing athlete or musician that they are today. OK, last question, who is SEL for? Social-emotional learning is for literally everyone. SEL is developed throughout all ages and stages. And at different points in time, you’re able to master different skills and competencies. Better yet, you’re not alone in developing SEL. You’re surrounded by all of the people in your life who support you, like caregivers and friends and family and teachers, and they help you to build your social and emotional toolkit. Thank you, Rena.

So below the video you’ll be prompted to think about the social, emotional, and cognitive competencies, that the children in your life are working on or the ones they’ve already mastered.