In our digitalized world, emotional awareness and interpersonal social skills are increasingly important abilities for students to possess. Social emotional learning activities play a crucial role in fostering these abilities.
As psychologist Roger Weissberg explains, “Today’s schools are increasingly multicultural and multilingual with students from diverse social and economic backgrounds. Educators and community agencies serve students with different motivations for engaging in learning, behaving positively, and performing academically. Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning and enhances students’ ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.”
The Importance of Social Emotional Learning Activites
SEL provides a solid foundation for positive learning environments. It equips students with essential skills to navigate their emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Research from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) highlights the benefits of SEL on its website, as its page on SEL research states that the practice leads to improved academic achievement, it contributes to healthy student well-being, future readiness development, and leads to safer schools.
Incorporating SEL activities such as daily greetings, journal writing, and group challenges can significantly enhance students’ emotional awareness and interpersonal skills. As Joshua Freedman, co-founder and CEO of Six Seconds, emphasizes during his interview on the Seed Field Podcast, “Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning and enhances students’ ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.”
Key Components of Successful SEL
According to Dr. Weissberg, successful SEL programs focus on five key areas:
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Relationship skills
- Responsible decision-making
Implementing social-emotional learning activities in the classroom can seem daunting, but with a few practical and engaging strategies, teachers can create a supportive and emotionally rich environment for their students. Some examples of SEL-oriented activities for students of all ages include:
Daily Greetings
Starting the day with positive interactions sets a welcoming tone for students. A simple “good morning” or a personalized greeting can make a big difference in how students feel as they begin their day.
Journal Writing
Encouraging students to keep journals can help them learn to reflect on their emotions and experiences. This activity promotes self-awareness and emotional expression and can be easily adapted for different age groups. Younger students might draw pictures, while older students can write more detailed entries.
Morning Meetings
Morning meetings are a great way to build community and set daily intentions. These meetings can include a variety of activities such as sharing news, discussing a topic of the day, or performing a quick mindfulness exercise.
End of Day Reflection
At the end of the day, promoting self-awareness and mindfulness through reflection exercises can help students unwind and process their experiences. Simple questions like “What was the best part of your day?” or “What did you learn today?” can be very effective.
Shout Out Board
A shout-out board fosters a culture of appreciation and recognition. Students can write positive notes about their peers’ actions and achievements, which are then displayed on the board—an activity that helps build a supportive classroom community.
Weekly Goal Reflection
Encouraging students to set and review personal goals enhances their self-management and responsible decision-making skills. Teachers can guide students in setting realistic goals and reflecting on their progress each week.
Group Challenges
Cooperative activities that build teamwork and problem-solving skills are essential in SEL. Examples include group projects, team-building exercises, and collaborative problem-solving tasks, all of which promote social awareness and relationship skills.
Adapting SEL Activities for Different Learning Environments
Whether teaching in-person or virtually, SEL activities can be adapted to suit different learning environments.
In the Classroom
In physical classrooms, teachers can integrate SEL activities into their daily routines without a complete overhaul of the curriculum. Simple practices like starting the day with a brief team-building exercise or incorporating mindfulness breaks between lessons can make a significant difference in a student’s social or emotional well-being.
Online
For online learning, teachers can incorporate SEL activities into lesson plans to maintain engagement and build community remotely. Virtual check-ins, online shout out boards, and digital journaling are some ways to keep students connected and emotionally supported.
Across Curricula
At a much broader level, SEL frameworks can be implemented across curricula. Whether it be for a K-12 school district or a higher education institution, SEL models can be utilized for learners and educators of all ages.
For example, the Six Seconds Network outlines a framework for emotional intelligence that can quickly be implemented for all types of learners. Coined as the Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence, this framework closely aligns with the CASEL Wheel model to deliver evidence-based SEL solutions.
Frameworks such as these work to closely guide educators and administrators towards designing and implementing SEL activities into class routines. The result is emotionally intelligent students who are better prepared to meet and overcome the challenges that stem from daily life.
Conclusion
Social emotional learning activities are not just beneficial; they are crucial for the overall development and well-being of students, making them better learners and compassionate individuals.
Embracing SEL in the classroom is a proactive step towards nurturing holistic student development and creating supportive learning environments. By following these practical and engaging strategies, educators can create classrooms that not only support academic success, but also prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
Interested in expanding your knowledge of SEL for your classroom? Curious about pursuing graduate education? Antioch University offers an EdD in Educational and Professional Practice with an emphasis on SEL activities. Our doctorate program can help you enhance your overall abilities as an educator and learn how to incorporate social emotional learning activities into your classroom.
