Life and Society

Supporting Connected Communities

The impact of social-emotional learning, or SEL, is increasingly recognized around the world to positively affect individuals and communities.

Life skills like emotion management, problem-solving, making responsible decisions, self-regulation skills, and maintaining healthy relationships help to create a well-functioning, compassionate society. Similar to emotional intelligence (a concept used outside of school settings), these skills enable people to adapt, be resourceful, and work well with others, and they’re all taught in SEL programs.

Research shows that early and continued SEL instruction can be highly beneficial for kids and adults. Its long-lasting effects help lower rates of depression and anxiety and decrease risky behavior such as drug use and drop-outs, and can reduce violent behavior and criminality.

Success Stories

Thousands of schools around the world and more than 26.9 million children benefit from Second Step® programs each year.

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Self-Regulation Skills: Why We Need Them

The ability to monitor and manage strong emotions is important in everyday life. Studies show that the self-regulation skills taught in SEL programs help instill these skills in kids.

SEL Matters Outside of School

Social-emotional skills aren’t just used in the classroom. Education professionals talk about the benefits of SEL in social interactions, in work, and in life.

Research for SEL Is Key

Learn more about how social-emotional education in children’s lives in and out of school has a positive, lasting impact.

New Poll Shows Overwhelming Support Among Parents for Teaching Social-Emotional Skills in Schools

Committee for Children

“Parents who say their child’s school provides social-emotional learning (SEL) overwhelming want it to continue, and more than 1 in 4 want additional SEL at school. Most parents whose children don’t receive SEL strongly want their school to provide it.”

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Social and Emotional Skills: Well-Being, Connectedness, and Success

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

“Educational and economic outcomes are important aspects of an individual’s life. However, they can also be considered as a means to achieve more vital goals such as good health, good quality of life, and feeling fulfilled and happy.”

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Early Social-Emotional Functioning and Public Health: The Relationship Between Kindergarten Social Competence and Future Wellness

American Journal of Public Health

“Inadequate levels of social and emotional functioning are increasingly recognized as central to many public health problems (e.g., substance abuse, obesity, violence). Just as researchers study how academic achievement in a population can lift groups out of poverty, public health scientists are now studying how these noncognitive factors affect health and wellness across domains.”

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When Districts Support and Integrate SEL

American Institutes for Research

“Acquiring [social-emotional] skills and perspectives can be highly beneficial in everyday living and learning, as well as later in life—at work, in relating to others, and as responsible citizens and community members.”

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