Harnessing The Power Of SEL: Tips For The Classroom

Author: Antoinette Morris

Posted: 30 Oct 2023

Estimated time to read: 3 mins

SEL equips students with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of life, build healthy relationships and achieve success both academically and personally. Keep reading to learn how to harness its power and enjoy the benefits in your own classroom.

Looking to implement SEL in your classroom? Follow these steps to make starting something new just a little bit easier:

1. Understand the basics of SEL

Before diving into SEL implementation, it's useful to understand what social emotional learning entails. SEL encompasses a range of skills, including self awareness, self regulation, empathy, and responsible decision-making. You can learn more about it using our SEL 101 guide, or by browsing through these SEL articles. 

 

2. Create a supportive environment

Always strive to create a classroom atmosphere where students feel safe, respected and valued. When students feel secure and accepted, they are more likely to engage with SEL activities and open up about their emotions.

 

3. Implement SEL Programs

Consider adopting structured SEL programs that provide a comprehensive framework for teaching social and emotional skills. This can take the pressure off you and your teachers to know exactly what you're doing when it comes to SEL, as well as helping you track and monitor your progress. 

4. Model SEL behaviours 

Model the social and emotional skills you want your students to develop to lead by example in your classroom. Demonstrate empathy, self-regulation and responsible decision-making in your interactions with students and colleagues to actively show your students how you want them to behave. 

 

5. Continue the support

SEL is not a one-time lesson but an ongoing process. Continuously assess your students' progress and provide feedback use SEL tracking tools and assessments to understand how to better support them. This doesn't have to take up huge amounts of time, just take notes on student progress little and often so you can begin to track trends over time. 

 

6. Engage parents and caregivers

Collaborate with parents and caregivers to reinforce SEL at home by sharing resources and insights with parents. Not all families will be able to take these practices home but it's worth highlighting them for those who can and want to. 

 

By harnessing the power of SEL and implementing SEL programs in your classroom, you can equip your students with the skills they need to succeed not only in their academic pursuits but also in life. Social emotional learning isn't just about academics; it's about building resilient, empathetic and well-rounded individuals who can thrive in an ever-changing world.

 

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Are you interested in SEL but don't know where to start?

Implementing SEL in your school can feel like a daunting task, with many wanting to introduce it but having no idea where to start. 

Satchel Pulse’s new Skills tool is an all-in-one, cost effective solution to negative student behaviour, poor academic performance and low wellbeing that’s quick and easy to implement.

Book a no-strings-attached demo today to see how Skills could help your school, or find out more about the tool here.