When many of us look back on our formative years in education, we think fondly about our favorite subjects, whether they were English, calculus, or even music theory. These days, though, a different curriculum may just be the driving force for a student’s life trajectory: social-emotional learning.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is defined by The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as a practice that helps students “acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, and achieve personal and collective goals.” The organization’s framework focuses on five core skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
“It’s the base layer of education,” Wendy Turner, a Delaware elementary school teacher, told TIME. “It’s really all about helping kids develop and nurture skills…