So, can a proper SEL curriculum be the answer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is SEL?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSocial Emotional Learning is a soft-skill development. It is based on the idea that students’ EQ is as important as their IQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, SEL helps students to manage their emotions and make calculated decisions. It is a session-based or activity-based learning where students learn how to become better social beings and handle emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does SEL work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"CASEL](\"https:\/\/www.evelynlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Page-2-Image-2.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nInteractive CASEL Wheel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSEL aims to impart critical skills to students to make them better managers of their emotions and better social beings. According to CASEL, these skills<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Awareness about the self includes understanding one\u2019s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.<\/li>
- Social awareness encapsulates the thought of understanding others.<\/li>
- Self-management includes how to tackle emotions and not let them take control of you.<\/li>
- Relationship management includes developing relationships with others with better communication and cooperation skills.<\/li>
- Responsible decision-making helps us learn what consequences can arise from our actions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Why are we talking about SEL?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMany educationists feel that schools should make it a priority to impart SEL. This comes in the wake of increased incidences of gun violence in schools. Also, these incidences are backed by the theories that the children involved in the violence bear unhealthy mental states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it is not only that. The unprecedented pandemic left students to the boundaries of their homes, affecting their routine activities and studying patterns. This eventually caused an increase in anxiety issues, feelings of loneliness, loss of self-confidence, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A research study<\/a> by Rand Corporation revealed that the use of SEL programs became more widely in school organizations after the reopening of schools post Covid closures. <\/p>\n\n\n\nA 2021 study by McGraw Hill revealed that educators (84%) and parents (62%) <\/a>hold a common view that students’ SEL can help them deal with the emotional distress exacerbated by Covid-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe inability of students to handle their overwhelming emotions and subsequently making inappropriate decisions at that time, call for the urgent need of SEL programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Social](\"https:\/\/www.evelynlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Page-3-Image.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMcGraw Hill Study, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIs a good SEL curriculum the answer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSEL, in essence, is not a panacea for all societal problems and we should not market it as one. It is like a technology that is much in hype today, but it should not fade like a fad. SEL is like a moral education that is as good as teaching good manners in schools, such as sharing with others or helping others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, teachers who have taught SEL in classrooms<\/a> have indicated positive changes in student development.<\/p>\n\n\n\nObservations explain that SEL lessons have significantly helped students to express themselves, feel good about their being, learn to accept others, and not indulge in bullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is not just the educators. The students also think that a good SEL curriculum and a well-integrated SEL program can carve mentally and socially healthy children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So far, one can say that a majority<\/a> of schools have implemented SEL programs in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n93% of teachers believe SEL needs a significant focus in schools. Additionally, a few others feel that the government should mandate it too. This can help SEL to make a stronger impact and get the attention it deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"SEL](\"https:\/\/www.evelynlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Page-4-Image.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBenefits and Student Outcomes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBut if most educators adopt SEL programs, then why are instances like that of gun violence, not nearing sunset?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nKevin Liou, an educational consultant, tutor, and owner at DiOrcus Designs LLC, explains why he believes SEL is not the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEmotional outbursts are far from the state of deprivation and mindset of a gun-shooter\/violence perpetrator. They have gone “beyond”, to speak, the mere “emotional outburst” part of their expression. It is a denial of self, a rejection of the ability to express themselves, a denial of the ability even to feed themselves at times. Hence, it is a systemic issue with sociopolitical and heavy economic ties.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t think it (SEL) holds priority in the US.\u201d<\/em>, one educator mentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t believe we (teachers) have enough time to teach SEL effectively and still teach our regular curriculum. There needs to be allotted time in the day; just like there is time in the schedule for math and reading.\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nCurriculum developer Catherine H further notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost schools have guidance counselors who are responsible for the majority of the SEL but they are also overwhelmed. In elementary school, we have one counselor for 500 students, so it\u2019s impossible for them to get into every classroom.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nWhy is there a case against SEL curriculum?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nInteractive CASEL Wheel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n SEL aims to impart critical skills to students to make them better managers of their emotions and better social beings. According to CASEL, these skills<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many educationists feel that schools should make it a priority to impart SEL. This comes in the wake of increased incidences of gun violence in schools. Also, these incidences are backed by the theories that the children involved in the violence bear unhealthy mental states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it is not only that. The unprecedented pandemic left students to the boundaries of their homes, affecting their routine activities and studying patterns. This eventually caused an increase in anxiety issues, feelings of loneliness, loss of self-confidence, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A research study<\/a> by Rand Corporation revealed that the use of SEL programs became more widely in school organizations after the reopening of schools post Covid closures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2021 study by McGraw Hill revealed that educators (84%) and parents (62%) <\/a>hold a common view that students’ SEL can help them deal with the emotional distress exacerbated by Covid-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The inability of students to handle their overwhelming emotions and subsequently making inappropriate decisions at that time, call for the urgent need of SEL programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n McGraw Hill Study, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n SEL, in essence, is not a panacea for all societal problems and we should not market it as one. It is like a technology that is much in hype today, but it should not fade like a fad. SEL is like a moral education that is as good as teaching good manners in schools, such as sharing with others or helping others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, teachers who have taught SEL in classrooms<\/a> have indicated positive changes in student development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Observations explain that SEL lessons have significantly helped students to express themselves, feel good about their being, learn to accept others, and not indulge in bullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not just the educators. The students also think that a good SEL curriculum and a well-integrated SEL program can carve mentally and socially healthy children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So far, one can say that a majority<\/a> of schools have implemented SEL programs in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 93% of teachers believe SEL needs a significant focus in schools. Additionally, a few others feel that the government should mandate it too. This can help SEL to make a stronger impact and get the attention it deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Benefits and Student Outcomes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin Liou, an educational consultant, tutor, and owner at DiOrcus Designs LLC, explains why he believes SEL is not the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmotional outbursts are far from the state of deprivation and mindset of a gun-shooter\/violence perpetrator. They have gone “beyond”, to speak, the mere “emotional outburst” part of their expression. It is a denial of self, a rejection of the ability to express themselves, a denial of the ability even to feed themselves at times. Hence, it is a systemic issue with sociopolitical and heavy economic ties.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it (SEL) holds priority in the US.\u201d<\/em>, one educator mentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t believe we (teachers) have enough time to teach SEL effectively and still teach our regular curriculum. There needs to be allotted time in the day; just like there is time in the schedule for math and reading.\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Curriculum developer Catherine H further notes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMost schools have guidance counselors who are responsible for the majority of the SEL but they are also overwhelmed. In elementary school, we have one counselor for 500 students, so it\u2019s impossible for them to get into every classroom.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nWhy are we talking about SEL?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nIs a good SEL curriculum the answer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBut if most educators adopt SEL programs, then why are instances like that of gun violence, not nearing sunset?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why is there a case against SEL curriculum?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n