What is Social Emotional Learning?

According to research, 13% of the world’s population suffers from alexithymia. This is a state where people do not know what they are feeling and how to express their feelings. Nowadays, teenagers and adults often use the term “emotionally unavailable”. After repetitive events where people have been heartbroken, they stop acknowledging their emotions. So, an entire generation faces a lack of emotional guidance with few people to address it. If we had realised the importance of social-emotional learning before, a generation would not have been this morose. Yet, better late than never. Let us find out how social and emotional learning significantly impacts our upbringing and the importance of having sound mental and physical health. 

 

Why Social Emotional Learning is Important?

The journey of teenage to adulthood is like a rollercoaster ride. Children experience a surge of emotions too quickly. Sometimes, they start depending on adults and most times. They stop responding at all. Seeing your child going through depression would be the worst nightmare ever. Therefore, engage them in social and emotional learning, and you will find them grow these values very soon:

• No impulsive social responses 
• Fewer disciplinary issues
• Reduced emotional distress 
• Motivation for attending schools 
• Improved engagement in classes
• Better scores in grades

Though social-emotional learning theory is not new, schools and educational institutions have started making them functional recently. Implementing this theory is the best way to secure children’s mental health. Thousands of positive growth are seen inside them like:

• Students do not struggle with their emotions. They feel the importance of expressing their feelings.
• Research says that in the last decade, the cases of bullying have reduced due to more focus on students’ mental health. Social-emotional learning for children has been at the core of it. 
• Emotions do not overwhelm students so quickly. They learn to take hold of them and analyse the root of their feelings. 
• Do you remember you stopped speaking to your friend for a week after a fight? Social-emotional learning brings emotional stability, and children learn to maintain healthy relationships with classmates and teachers. 

 

Social-Emotional Learning Benefits

Nowadays, children are often impatient and lack concentration span. An unstable mental state is strictly responsible for that. This instability comes from their confusion about their emotions, and social-emotional learning helps them settle their emotional turmoil. Not only that but there are numerous benefits of social-emotional learning from early childhood. 

 

Enhance Student Motivation 

 

 

All a person wants is acceptance. Be it social acceptance or acceptance from their dear ones. Social-emotional learning skills encourage students to be more accepted, willing to take risks, work towards goals, and love learning. Motivation always works as a tool for betterment. 

 

Improves Learning Ambience

 

 

The opposite equation is also much needed for students to respect their teachers. So, SEL is a skill to master for both kids and teachers. An equation of mutual respect is born out and influences a positive learning community. 

 

Reduced Behaviour Problems

Skill deficit happens because of behavioural problems often. Kids excel through team spirit, emotion management, problem-solving, and improvement in behaviour. 

 

Enhances Problem-solving Skills

Kids learn how to solve their problems once they know how to address them. First, you must recognise a problem and acknowledge it is bothering you. We often are reluctant to do so. Social and emotional learning demands us to start problem-solving from everyday events. For example, how not to handle a situation where you may fight with your friends or say your dislikes clearly and outright. SEL deals with these tiny issues. Children learn from solving their classroom issues and incorporate this habit into their daily lives. 

 

Strengthen the Space to Talk about Mental Health 

The most under-discussed topic in society was mental health till the last decade. SEL gives a space where you can talk about mental health with your child openly. The adults must know how to deal with children’s issues. This skill raises them where they can encounter trouble and try to solve it instead of hiding it from the adults. Therefore, social and emotional learning is essential for teachers also. 

 

Capability to Meet Goals 

 

 

How does one land on their dream career? This is not a story of one day. Instead, a journey that starts from a tender age. SEL helps students set their goals from an early phase of their life. They can plan their every action and opt for plans. They set attainable and practical purposes. Setting realistic aims is one of the most critical aspects that come from SEL. 

 

Encourages Empathy 

A complete human being is made of some foundational skills. Empathy is one of the most important of them. Assuming all the learners already have this quality is the most significant loophole that every parent and teacher must acknowledge. Now, what lies beyond is to focus on building their empathy. Often kids need to be explicitly taught how to think about the feelings and thoughts of others. Resolving conflicts with peers, maintaining relationships, and being kind to others become more manageable once they master these skills. 

 

Teaches Teamwork and Collaboration

Excessive usage of smartphones brings isolation in children. Not me, but remarkable child psychologists are saying so. Social-emotional learning is a way out indeed. This skill helps students work collaboratively with teammates in small and large groups. They learn to work with people who share different thoughts and cultures, not their friends. Being a good teammate means success goes a long way. 

So, now you know the benefits and importance of social-emotional learning. Set some social-emotional learning goals to thrive for a better future for your child. This article will help more parents understand their child’s mental health. SEL is a process that does not grow in a day. So, be patient and gradually plant seeds of these qualities in your child.

 

Also Read… 

How To Raise Socially Responsible Child

A Guide to Raising Socially Intelligent Children

14 Ways to Improve Social Skills in Toddlers