Do you know that those with strong social-emotional skills are capable of coping with everyday challenges in an effective way and are better at thriving both professionally and personally? Having a good foundation in social-emotional learning (SEL) can make a person a good problem-solver and self-disciplined. They will be able to control their impulsive behavior and manage their emotions. Social-emotional learning also provides a platform for kids to grow up with a better personality. With SEL, children thrive and adults improvise, leading to the strengthening of society. 

Let’s examine how social-emotional learning impacts kids and why it is significant for them. 
 

But first, what does social and emotional learning mean?

Social-emotional learning, or SEL, is a mechanism that results in the development of interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and self-control in kids and adults. These are essential skills that are vital for individuals throughout their lives. SEL refers to the means by which one attains social and emotional skills, resulting in a better IQ. It focuses on aspects like managing one’s emotions, making responsible and informed decisions, dealing with stress, setting plans and attaining goals, and building positive relationships with others.

It was earlier believed that social and emotional learning happen naturally when a kid grows up without any need for them to be taught separately. However, SEL is in fact a vital aspect that kids need to be trained on from a young age. If kids do not acquire these skills at a young age, they will develop behavioral issues, which can potentially impact their ability to learn and grow holistically and also affect how they interact with others.
 

Why is it so important for kids?

• Social-emotional learning undoubtedly lays a strong foundation for emotional development and mental well-being. So, it has provided long-term benefits for kids. As it equips them with the skills necessary to manage relationships, handle stress, and make responsible choices, it prepares them to be a better individual.
   
• Social-emotional learning will enable kids to overcome various challenging situations with confidence and resilience. It will also boost their academic performance through higher motivation, engagement, and fewer behavioral issues.
   
• SEL helps both students and adults thrive in school and in life because their social-emotional skills will better equip them to face unexpected scenarios with emotional maturity. The skills that they learn in preschool will be carried all the way through adulthood, making them better human beings.
   
• Not everyone is born with the skills to manage their emotions, resolve issues, and interact with others. These kinds of skills need to be developed at an early age. Some kids may also require extra support to fully benefit from SEL. Hence, providing SEL training at the school level is vital for their overall development.
   
• Kids can learn how to manage their emotions tactfully through social-emotional learning. As it teaches them how to identify their emotions and manage them efficiently from a young age, their emotional quotient will improve correspondingly (EQ).
   
• Research points to social and emotional skills, such as cooperating with others and helping them, as the basis for thriving in life. Research shows that SEL in kids can lead to:
• Low emotional distress
• Minimal disciplinary incidents
• Improved participation and engagement at school
• Better test scores and grades
   

5 types of social-emotional learning skills

CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) is the leader in the field of SEL instruction. The five areas it focuses on are:

• Self-awareness: identification of emotions, recognition of strengths and needs, and development of a growth mindset.
• Self-management: management of emotions, control of impulses, and goal-setting.
• Social awareness: understanding others perspectives, empathizing, and appreciating diversity.
• Relationship skills: cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
• Responsible decision-making, including thinking about the consequences of personal behavior.
   

Today, even kids have a great deal of stress and pressure. So, they must be equipped with the essential skills to handle the ups and downs in their lives for them to be successful in life. Realizing this, institutes like Akshharam, the top Malayalam language learning school online and one of the most trusted online Malayalam learning schools, are considering about social-emotional learning as it is becoming an important aspect for the holistic development of kids today. At Akshharam, kids are not only trained to focus on getting better grades, working hard, and succeeding. We also focus on other aspects of their development.

Thus, social and emotional development begins at an early age in life. It is when kids begin to understand who they are, their feelings, and how interaction takes place with others. It’s when they learn to form friendships, learn and experience new things, and also manage and express emotions. So, it is important for kids to acquire a strong socio-emotional foundation through social-emotional learning in the early years to help them better manage their day-to-day lives.