Why Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the Best Investment in Students' Success

What if every student had the means to manage their emotions, build strong relationships, and make thoughtful decisions? The importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is clear, it helps students develop essential SEL skills that are key to steer through both academic challenges and personal growth. By focusing on SEL, we provide students with the emotional intelligence and resilience they need to excel. The benefits of SEL extend beyond the classroom, promoting better mental health, enhanced communication, and a stronger sense of community. As we empower students with these skills, we set the foundation for a brighter, more compassionate future.

In accordance with UNESCO’s MGIEP, SEL is not just about immediate improvements in behavior and well-being. Longitudinal studies suggest that individuals who have undergone SEL programs in their early years tend to have better academic achievements, high employment rates and improved mental health in the long run

1. SEL Impacts Learning Outcomes

According to a 2019 CASEL study, students who participate in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs achieve 11% more academic progress than those who do not. The Missing Piece, a report by CASEL, highlights that most educators strongly believe in the positive impact of SEL. About 80% of teachers feel that SEL helps students stay on track to graduate, while 75% believe it improves academic performance. Additionally, 77% of teachers think SEL leads to better standardised test scores. School leaders who prioritise SEL in their districts notice students are more focused, engaged, and ready to learn, with fewer distractions in the classroom.

2. SEL Prepares Students for Workforce

A Carnegie Mellon Foundation study found that 75% of long-term job success depends on the level of soft skills employees had. Another LinkedIn study found that 57% of employers value soft skills more than hard skills when making new hire decisions. With the shift in the job market, it has been observed that technical skills alone are not sufficient. “Soft skills” has found itself a prominent place in resumes, where communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability has been increasingly valued. According to the World Economic Forum, emotional intelligence and other SEL-related competencies are among the top skills needed for the workforce of the future. By promoting critical thinking, interpersonal skills and resilience SEL prepares students not just for jobs today but for any other market shifts that happens in the future

To cite a few examples - Google, through its "Project Aristotle," found that their most effective teams were not necessarily composed of employees with the highest technical skills but rather those who excelled in emotional intelligence, empathy, and collaboration. Similarly, Deloitte actively seeks candidates with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills to foster innovation and resilience in their teams. Companies like Zappos have even included cultural fit, which hinges on SEL competencies, as a primary hiring criterion.

3. SEL Builds Lifelong Emotional Resilience

Social and Emotional Learning equips students to manage mental health, cope with stress and grow into more emotionally stable adults who are well aware of their emotions and could articulate their feelings well thereby better handling it. This prepares them to handle setbacks and challenges better, later in their lives and build strong interpersonal relationships. According to Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence, students participating in SEL programs report 36% improvement in emotional regulation and 11% reduction in depressive symptoms showcasing a strong link between mental health and SEL. The RULER Program by Yale Centre of Emotional Intelligence when implemented in schools found that as a result students were better able to better regulate their emotions and express their feelings effectively. To cite an example, a student who initially struggled with outbursts due to frustration learned to label their emotions and chose calming strategies such as deep breathing .

4. SEL Contributes to Increased Financial Stability in the Future

Have you ever found yourself making a decision out of frustration or stress? Imagine if you had the tools to pause, reflect, and make a calmer choice?

A person who learned emotional regulation through SEL in school might be able to resist impulse buying when faced with emotional stress, a common trigger for overspending. According to the 2019 study of National Endowment for Financial Education(NEFE), individuals with higher emotional intelligence which is promoted through SEL tend to be better at financial literacy and at making financial decisions. Therefore the skills developed through SEL such as emotional regulation, long-term planning and decision making can contribute to better financial decision making in adulthood thereby bringing stability. Hence, the role of SEL is pertinent in avoiding impulsive financial decisions, managing stress around money and promoting a long-term approach to personal finance. In practice, companies like Prudential Financial have highlighted the role of emotional intelligence in financial planning by incorporating SEL principles into workshops for clients, helping them align their spending habits with long-term goals

5. SEL Promotes Lifelong Positive Relationships

Research from the Gallup organisation shows that people with high Emotional Intelligence, which is a key component of Social and Emotional Learning tend to have a higher level of life satisfaction and better relationships in both personal and professional life. The social skills cultivated through SEL- such as empathy, active listening and effective communication are extremely important for forming strong positive relations throughout life. By teaching how to set healthy boundaries, resolve conflicts constructively, and adapt to change, SEL helps individuals form lasting connections that withstand challenges.

Therefore, we could say that SEL is not just an educational initiative but an investment in shaping well-rounded, emotionally resilient and socially adept individuals. SEL extends beyond classroom lessons preparing them for challenges that life would pose to them, not only preparing them for academic success but also workforce readiness, financial stability and fulfilling personal relationships. Prioritising SEL is the best course of action we can take as educators, parents, and policymakers to ensure our children's brighter and more sustainable futures.

Our Becoming Program is deeply aligned with the transformative potential of SEL as highlighted in this Blog. The program integrates SEL principles and intends to shape well-rounded individuals who are not only equipped for academic success but also for building meaningful relationships, excelling in the workforce, and achieving lifelong financial and emotional stability.

References:

https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/blog-webinars/blog/2024/06/exploring-the-impact-of-sel-on-student-mental-health.html

https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/new-research-published-in-child-development-confirms-social-and-emotional-learning-significantly-improves-student-academic-performance-well-being-and-perceptions-of-school-safety/

https://casel.org/the-missing-piece/?view=1

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/spring2021/social-emotional-development-youngest-learners

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2016/03/21st-century-skills-future-jobs-students/#:~:text=Today%27s%20job%20candidates%20must%20be%20able%20to%20collaborate%2C,students%20to%20succeed%20in%20the%20evolving%20digital%20economy

https://www.edgepointlearning.com/blog/hard-skills-vs-soft-skills/#:~:text=Emotional%20intelligence%20also%20indicates%20a%20level%20of%20intrinsic,on%20the%20level%20of%20soft%20skills%20employees%20had