Social and Emotional Learning

Hello again from guest blogger, Lisa Robinson!  This post is a continuation from last week, and we’ll be exploring how to improve our abilities in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies as characterized by CASEL at www.casel.org .  In this post, we’ll cover Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making.   This discussion will focus on how adults (teachers, parents, others) can improve their own SEL competencies.  It’s important for us to begin by understanding the level of our own competencies, and take intentional action to make improvements.  We can use this personal experience to most effectively support children and adults who could benefit from enhancing their SEL competency. Social Awareness In this competency, you can understand the perspective of others and empathize with them, even when they are different from you.  You can apply this to get along with others and encourage mutual collaboration. Improvement in this competency starts with demonstrating a genuine interest in others.  Pay careful attention to other people’s facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.  Can you connect what you observe to how others are feeling?  Observation is a great place to start improving in this competency.  Although this is not second nature for everyone, it can be learned.  You may find it very helpful to ask someone you know well and trust to provide you with feedback.   Observe the other person and then share the emotions you think that their behavior is