Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. It refers to a broad set of skills children and adults can learn and use to regulate their emotions, communicate with others, use compassion and empathy to understand the needs of other people, build relationships, and make good decisions.

These essential life skills become even more important for young people as they enter the workforce and build healthy relationships as adults.

They include:

• Self-awareness: Knowing their strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and “growth mindset.”
• Self-management: Effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating themselves to set and achieve goals.
• Social-awareness: Understanding the perspectives of others and empathizing with them, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Relationship skills: Communicating clearly, listening well, cooperating with others, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.
• Responsible decision-making: Making constructive choices on personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety, and social norms.