Social Emotional Learning
What is Social Emotional Learning?
Social Emotional Learning (also referred to as SEL) is the lifelong process through which both children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions (CASEL).
Why is Social Emotional Learning Important?
SEL programming is based on the understanding that the best learning emerges in the context of supportive relationships that make learning challenging, engaging, and meaningful. Issaquah School District is committed to the development of authentic family-school-community partnerships, creation of a positive and safe learning environments, and the use of an evidence-based curriculum to advance social emotional skills, educational equity, and excellence. When individuals feel connected to their learning environment and those within it; their ability to gain new skills, apply knowledge, build relationships, collaborate, regulate emotions, problem solve, and achieve increases. Social emotional learning is an integral part of development and directly connected to success in school, career, and life experiences (OSPI, CASEL).
Social Emotional Core Competencies
In Issaquah, students learn about and build skills within 5 core areas of social emotional learning
Self Awareness. Understanding one's own feelings, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors
Self Management. The ability to manage one's feelings, emotions, thoughts, and actions/behaviors.
Social Awareness. The ability to understand the perspective of others ( thoughts, feelings, actions) and empathize with others.
Relationship Skills. The ability to establish, maintain, and restore healthy and positive relationships with others.
Responsible Decision Making. The ability to make choices about own behavior and social interactions that are caring and constructive.