Did you know that 1 in every 6 children in the U.S. has a mental or behavioral disorder? These problems often begin in early childhood. While professional mental health treatment is the best course of action, examining their education options also helps.
Have you ever heard of an SEL curriculum? It means social and emotional learning. It’s one of the most effective teaching styles for kids to learn interpersonal (social) skills and how to cope with their feelings.
SEL has more to offer than that, though. Keep reading to learn all about this method of teaching.
It Promotes Positive Relationships
Children must learn how to make friends from an early age. They’ll also need to understand how to maintain those relationships.
Social and emotional learning helps them to do so. They’ll learn what makes a “good friend” and how to work through conflicts with others. It also helps kids form healthy relationships with their teachers and other educators.
It Lessens Behavioral Problems
Young students often experience behavioral problems because they don’t understand how to handle all their emotions. It can get overwhelming or confusing, causing them to act out or disrupt the class. However, an SEL curriculum teaches them how to manage their feelings.
Kids will also learn how to solve problems and regulate their moods. They’ll grow to be more respectful and polite toward each other, too. Once this happens, aggressive and emotional behaviors will decrease.
It Improves Students’ Academic Performance
Because social and emotional learning focuses on feelings and interpersonal skills, most parents and teachers believe it’s unrelated to other education styles. That is far from true, though. In fact, SEL is effective in improving academics as well.
The skills they’ll learn — like organization, time management, setting goals, and teamwork — enable children to better focus and handle school and assignments. An SEL curriculum also fosters a positive attitude toward education, so kids want to focus and succeed.
It Teaches Vital Life Skills
SEL is one of the best teaching styles for preparing children for the real world. Not only will they be able to succeed in college or university, but also throughout their careers. Besides the skills you’ve already read, they’ll also learn:
- Resilience
- How to plan
- Collaboration
- Self-awareness
- Respect
- Decision-making
As a result, kids will be more than ready to handle whatever life throws at them.
It Increases Empathy in the Classroom
It’s crucial for children to understand empathy. It’s an essential core skill that they’ll use throughout their entire lives! It helps them maintain relationships and act with kindness.
SEL ensures they get a solid grasp on it. Kids will learn to consider the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of those around them.
Explore Teaching Styles Through an SEL Curriculum
Mental health is becoming a serious concern for parents and their children. Trying new teaching styles at school can help, though! Through social and emotional learning, children will improve their behavior, academics, and interpersonal skills.
Could you use some additional teaching tools in your classroom? Check out other articles on our website to find more.
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