What Is Social-Emotional Learning? Key SEL Skills Explained
Foundations of Social-Emotional Learning
In today’s fast-changing world, the ability to manage our emotions, build positive relationships, and make thoughtful decisions is more important than ever. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines social and emotional learning (SEL) as the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to • understand and manage emotions • set and achieve positive goals • feel and show empathy for others • establish and maintain positive relationships and • make responsible, caring decisions.
SEL is not a “nice-to-have”; it is deeply tied to academic success, mental health, equitable outcomes, and lifelong flourishing. By supporting all students from preschool through high school, schools and communities create the conditions for achievement, well-being, and belonging.
Why SEL matters
Research consistently shows that students who engage in high-quality SEL programs demonstrate stronger social skills, improved attitudes about self and others, better classroom behaviour, and reduced emotional distress.
Beyond individual outcomes, SEL supports broader equity goals. By intentionally cultivating social and emotional competencies, educational systems can address opportunity gaps, build more inclusive cultures, and help students from all backgrounds thrive.
Importantly, SEL is not separate from academics: when schools focus solely on cognitive skills without attention to the emotional and relational dimensions of learning, they miss foundational pieces of how students succeed.
Core Skills of SEL
The CASEL “Five” framework describes foundational domains of social-emotional competence:
Self-awareness — Recognizing one’s emotions, strengths, limitations, values, and how they influence behaviour.
Self-management — Producing sustained effort toward goals, managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself.
Social awareness — Understanding others’ perspectives, showing empathy, and appreciating diversity.
Relationship skills — Building and maintaining healthy relationships with peers and adults, communicating clearly, and cooperating.
Responsible decision-making — Making ethical, safe, and respectful choices about personal and social behaviour.
When these skills are developed intentionally and embedded into classroom routines, school culture, and community partnerships, SEL becomes a lived experience rather than a separate “program.”
Practical Implementation in Schools and Beyond
Effective SEL implementation happens at multiple levels: classroom practices, schoolwide culture, district initiatives, and family/community connections. CASEL provides resources, frameworks, and guidance for systemic implementation, ensuring SEL isn’t an add-on but integrated into daily practice.
For example, schools may adopt evidence-based SEL programs, train educators in responsive strategies, engage families in cycles of reflection and growth, and partner with community organizations to scaffold social and emotional development across all environments. The aim is to embed SEL into the ecosystem of learning, so that it becomes as fundamental as reading or math.
The Mood Meter: A Tool for Emotional Awareness
One highly effective tool for building self-awareness and reflective emotional habits is the Mood Meter, developed within the broader SEL field. The Mood Meter is a simple but powerful chart divided into four colour zones, each representing combinations of pleasant/unpleasant feelings and high/low energy states. Practically, students and even adults pause at regular intervals (for example at the start of class) to identify where they are on the Mood Meter, name their feelings (e.g., “green zone – calm/alert,” “yellow zone – excited/anxious”), and then choose one strategy to either stay in that zone or shift toward a preferred zone for learning or interaction. By regularly using the Mood Meter, individuals deepen their emotional vocabulary, increase self-regulation, and develop the habit of linking how they feel with how they act and learn. Over time, the Mood Meter fosters awareness of patterns, empowers proactive emotion management, and bolsters a culture of emotional literacy across classrooms and beyond.
Bringing It All Together
Incorporating social and emotional learning is not just about teaching specific lessons; it’s about creating environments where every student and adult can grow, reflect, and connect. Whether through building relationships, leveraging tools like the Mood Meter, or embedding SEL into schoolwide practices, the impact is profound: stronger academic outcomes, healthier social interactions, and greater equity in opportunities. For educational leaders, families, and community partners, embracing SEL means embracing a holistic vision of thriving, one where students are not just academically prepared but emotionally and socially empowered to navigate their world with resilience, empathy, and purpose.