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. Learn More 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. Extended Benefits of SEL Researchers have been exploring whether these impacts last long after the SEL program. What we’ve learned: They definitely do. See the Results 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.” Read More 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.” Read More 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.” Read More 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.” Read More See All SEL Research “We can't stop the world from delivering blows. But we can create community and connectivity and reduce isolation so that when the blows do come, we soften them.” Maya Enista Smith Executive DirectorLady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation Listen to Podcasts What Is SEL? Social-emotional learning, or SEL, is the process of learning the social-emotional skills that are essential for success in school, work, and life.Learn More Students and Schools SEL programs are shown to positively affect student outcomes, help improve academic performance, and reduce negative social behaviors.Learn More Workers and Workplaces Social-emotional skills like relationship-building, problem-solving, and collaboration are all highly sought after in today’s workforce.Learn More SEL insights from business, tech, arts, and education leaders Listen Now Listen Now SEL insights from business, tech, arts, and education leaders
Extended Benefits of SEL Researchers have been exploring whether these impacts last long after the SEL program. What we’ve learned: They definitely do. See the Results
“We can't stop the world from delivering blows. But we can create community and connectivity and reduce isolation so that when the blows do come, we soften them.” Maya Enista Smith Executive DirectorLady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation Listen to Podcasts