In today’s educational landscape, it’s not enough to focus solely on academic achievement. Students need more than just literacy and math skills to navigate the complexities of school life and beyond. This is where Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) comes into play—a foundational approach to teaching that helps students manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions.
As a former classroom teacher and now in my role within the EdTech industry, I’ve seen the direct impact that SEL can have on both individual students and classroom environments as a whole. Let’s discuss why SEL is crucial for child development and how educators can integrate it into their daily lesson plans to foster not just academic, but also personal growth.
Social and Emotional Learning equips children with the tools they need to understand and manage their emotions, leading to improved focus, resilience, and cooperation. Research shows that students who receive SEL instruction not only perform better academically but are also more likely to have positive social behaviors and fewer conduct problems.
For many teachers, though, SEL can feel like one more thing to add to an already packed curriculum. But integrating it doesn’t mean creating separate SEL lessons every day. Instead, the most effective SEL practices are woven into the fabric of daily instruction and interactions. It’s about creating an environment where students feel safe, respected, and supported to express themselves and collaborate with others.
One of the core components of SEL is helping students recognize and name their emotions. Providing students with structured ways to express their feelings allows them to become more aware of their internal states and how those states affect their behavior. Something as simple as an “emotion chart” or “mood meter” in the classroom where students can check in daily encourages this practice.
Additionally, prompts like “How are you feeling today?” at the start of a lesson can help build emotional awareness without taking too much instructional time. This can also lead to more meaningful student-teacher interactions when you have a clearer understanding of a student’s emotional state.
Students need explicit guidance on how to manage conflicts with their peers—skills that go beyond the simple directive to “play nice.” Instead, provide students with structured conflict resolution strategies such as “I” statements (“I feel upset when you…”), active listening, and collaborative problem-solving.
Group activities, whether academic or social, provide a natural setting to reinforce these skills. Use moments of peer disagreement as learning opportunities rather than seeing them as disruptions. By modeling and teaching how to resolve conflicts, you’re equipping students with lifelong skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
One of the biggest challenges in a classroom is helping students regulate their behavior, especially during transitions or stressful situations. Incorporating short mindfulness exercises can help students develop self-regulation skills. A brief breathing exercise or guided visualization at the start of a lesson can help students refocus and center themselves, leading to improved attention and readiness to learn.
Simple techniques such as counting breaths, practicing quiet focus, or using fidget tools can be effective in helping students calm their minds and bodies when emotions run high.
Incorporating SEL into your academic lessons doesn’t have to mean adding more to your plate. Here are some ways you can link SEL with core subject learning:
SEL isn’t just about immediate classroom benefits like better behavior or focus. The long-term advantages are significant. Students who develop strong social-emotional skills early on are more likely to succeed in their careers, build stronger relationships, and contribute positively to their communities. As educators, we’re in a unique position to help shape not just students’ academic futures but their overall development as well-rounded individuals.
By prioritizing SEL, we’re making an investment in the kind of adults our students will become—compassionate, self-aware, and capable of navigating the complexities of life. It’s a powerful tool for educators to embrace, and with the right strategies, it can become an effortless part of your daily teaching practice.
Social Emotional Learning doesn’t have to be a burden or an afterthought—it can be seamlessly integrated into the day-to-day operations of any classroom. The strategies and lesson ideas mentioned above are just the starting point. The key is consistency and finding what works best for your students.
Ultimately, teaching SEL means recognizing that our students are not just learners—they are people, growing and developing in every sense of the word. And that’s something worth supporting.
Katy brings a wealth of experience in education and sales, having worked in key roles at Brightwheel, Wonderschool, and IXL Learning. With a background as a first-grade teacher through Teach For America, Katy is deeply committed to supporting educational initiatives that make a difference for children and families.
For more tips and insights on SEL, stay tuned to Elizabeth Cole’s blog, where we share more resources to help children grow into their best selves.
