Who We Are & What We Do
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
Mission
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
Vision
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
Values
I’m an item. Click here to edit me.
I’m an item. Click here to edit me.
I’m an item. Click here to edit me.
I’m an item. Click here to edit me.
I’m an item. Click here to edit me.
Meet the Team
Social Emotional Learning
What is Social Emotional Learning?
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is how individuals acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, establish and maintain healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. SEL encompasses many skills and competencies essential for school, work, and life success.
SEL Competencies
-
Self-Awareness: The ability to recognize and understand one's emotions, thoughts, and values. Self-aware individuals can accurately assess their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their emotions and reactions in various situations.
-
Self-Management: The ability to regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations. Self-managed individuals can control impulses, manage stress, and set and work toward personal and academic goals.
-
Social Awareness: The ability to understand and empathize with others, as well as to appreciate and respect diversity. Socially aware individuals can recognize and appreciate the perspectives of others, demonstrate empathy, and navigate social dynamics effectively.
-
Relationship Skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with others. Individuals with strong relationship skills can communicate effectively, work collaboratively, resolve conflicts constructively, and build positive connections with peers and adults.
-
Responsible Decision-Making: The ability to make ethical, constructive personal and social behavior choices. Responsible decision-makers consider the well-being of themselves and others, evaluate the consequences of their actions, and take responsibility for their choices.
The Power of SEL: Boosting Academic Success and Beyond
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial to students' overall development and success. Here are some key reasons why SEL is essential in education:
Boosting Academic Achievement
Research shows that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) doesn’t just enhance students' emotional well-being; it also improves their academic performance. In a sweeping meta-analysis, Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, and Schellinger (2011) found that SEL programs significantly boosted academic achievement. This comprehensive study across schools confirmed that students engaged in SEL interventions performed better in the classroom—a clear win for educators seeking to elevate student outcomes.
Another compelling study by Payton, Weissberg, Durlak, and Pachan (2008) further demonstrated the academic benefits of SEL, highlighting improvements from kindergarten through eighth grade. Their review pointed to long-term positive effects, showing how nurturing emotional and social skills from an early age can pay dividends throughout a student’s education.
SEL’s positive impact isn’t limited to early education. Taylor and Durlak (2009) expanded this research, showing that SEL programs from preschool through high school contribute to significant gains in both social-emotional competencies and academic performance. No matter the age, SEL has proven to be a powerful tool for student success.
Building Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is essential for thriving in school and life, and SEL helps foster it. Brackett, Rivers, Shiffman, Lerner, and Salovey (2012) found that students involved in SEL programs displayed improved emotional intelligence. This not only helped with academic achievement but also transformed classroom climates, reduced teacher stress, and created healthier student-teacher relationships.
Reducing Risky Behaviors and Enhancing Well-being
SEL programs also play a critical role in reducing risky behaviors, promoting mental health, and building a safer school environment. Greenberg, Domitrovich, and Bumbarger (2003) analyzed school-based prevention programs that emphasized SEL and found significant reductions in risky behaviors like substance abuse and aggression, along with improvements in mental health. Their research highlights how SEL creates safer, more supportive learning spaces for students to thrive.
Promoting Positive Behavior
When it comes to improving student behavior, SEL is a game-changer. Weissberg, Durlak, Domitrovich, and Gullotta (2015) found that SEL interventions reduce negative behaviors like bullying and conflict while promoting positive social interactions, collaboration, and respect among students. Zins, Weissberg, Wang, and Walberg (2004) added that embedding SEL into the curriculum leads to lasting behavioral improvements, helping students develop essential social-emotional skills that build a more harmonious classroom environment.
Long-Lasting Positive Effects
The benefits of SEL extend far beyond the classroom years. A study by Taylor, Oberle, Durlak, and Weissberg (2017) found that the positive effects of SEL interventions last up to 18 years, including improved academic performance, social behavior, and emotional well-being. This long-term impact shows that investing in SEL now prepares students for future success, both personally and professionally.
Implementing SEL the Right Way
Implementing SEL effectively is key to maximizing its benefits. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) (2003) offers a framework for integrating SEL into schools through evidence-based practices, ensuring that programs are grounded in research and designed for success. Elias et al. (1997) also emphasized the importance of proper SEL implementation, which promotes positive behavior and creates an environment where students feel supported and empowered to succeed.
Now that you have an overview of the experiential social-emotional learning activities available on the Kikori platform, explore our library of activities to find the perfect fit for your classroom. Dive in, engage your students in meaningful learning experiences, and join us on the journey to promote the social-emotional development of all students.
Learn more from leading researchers & experts:
-
Bowman, N. A. (2010). College diversity experiences and cognitive development: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 80(1), 4-33. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654309352495
-
Banks, J. A. (2009). Multicultural education: Issues and perspectives (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
-
Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students' social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405-432.
-
Elias, M. J., Zins, J. E., Weissberg, R. P., Frey, K. S., Greenberg, M. T., Haynes, N. M., ... & Shriver, T. P. (1997). Promoting social and emotional learning: Guidelines for educators. ASCD.
-
Greenberg, M. T., Domitrovich, C. E., & Bumbarger, B. (2003). The prevention of mental disorders in school-aged children: Current state of the field. Prevention & Treatment, 6(1), 21-49.
-
Taylor, R. D., Oberle, E., Durlak, J. A., & Weissberg, R. P. (2017). Promoting positive youth development through school‐based social and emotional learning interventions: A meta‐analysis of follow‐up effects. Child Development, 88(4), 1156-1171.