You know how much I believe in the power of social emotional learning, and I rely on CASEL for the bulk of my research. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has developed a framework called the CASEL Wheel, which provides a comprehensive approach to SEL. The CASEL Wheel is an evidence-based model that helps educators teach students to manage emotions, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Social emotional development is an integral part of a child’s overall growth and well-being. As teachers, we play a crucial role in shaping the social-emotional development of our students! It is essential we understand that social emotional learning is not an add-on or a separate program, but an integral part of our teaching practice.
Breaking down the wheel
The CASEL Wheel includes five core competencies that are essential for social emotional development:
- Self-awareness: This involves recognizing one’s emotions, thoughts, and values and understanding how they influence behavior.
- Self-management: This competency involves regulating emotions, managing stress, and setting goals.
- Social awareness: This competency involves understanding and empathizing with others’ perspectives, feelings, and needs.
- Relationship skills: This competency involves developing and maintaining healthy relationships with peers, teachers, and family members.
- Responsible decision-making: This competency involves making informed, ethical, and constructive choices about personal and social behavior.
Benefits of teaching SEL competencies in school
Incorporating the CASEL Wheel into your teaching practice can have countless benefits for your students. It’s probably obvious to state that it’s not even possible to list all of the benefits. The cool thing about CASEL is their decades of research on SEL and its benefits. We can actually point to hard data to prove how essential SEL is for kids! Here are some of the reasons why it’s SO essential:
- Improved academic performance: Students who have strong SEL skills tend to have better academic outcomes. They are more engaged in the classroom, have better attendance rates, and perform better on standardized tests. Often times, this piece of data is a great entry point for school districts to get on board.
- Better mental health: SEL skills help students manage stress, build resilience, and develop coping strategies, which can improve their mental health. Mental health supports begin with a strong foundation of Tier 1 needs, like daily SEL lessons and embedded SEL skill development across the day.
- Positive classroom environment: SEL skills help students develop positive relationships with their peers and teachers, which creates a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment. Yes, positive classroom environments absolutely impact students, but they greatly impact teachers, too! This can help turn-over rates, staff retention, and the overall school climate.
- Life-long skills: The SEL skills taught through the CASEL Wheel are not just relevant to the classroom but also to life outside of school. Developing these skills can help students succeed in their personal and professional lives. The earlier these skills are taught and reinforced, the more our greater society will benefit!
Long story short, the CASEL Wheel is a powerful tool that can help teachers foster social emotional skill development in students. Incorporating the CASEL Wheel into your teaching practice can have numerous benefits for your students, including improved academic performance, better mental health, a positive classroom environment, and life-long skills. By using the CASEL Wheel, you can create a classroom environment that supports the holistic development of your students.
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