Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

Building NeuroResilience focuses on the following CASEL Competencies:

Self-Awareness: The ability to understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts.

• Integrating personal and social identities
• Identifying one's emotions
• Linking feelings, values, and thoughts
• Having a growth mindset
• Developing interests and a sense of purpose

Self-Management: The ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.

• Managing one's emotions
• Identifying and using stress management strategies

Social Awareness: The ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts.

• Demonstrating empathy and compassion
• Showing concern from the feelings of others
• Understanding and expressing gratitude

Relationship Skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.

• Communicating effectively
• Developing positive relationships
• Resolving conflicts constructively
• Seeking or offering support and help when needed

Responsible Decision Making: The ability to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.

• Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness
• Learning how to make reasoned judgments after analyzing information, data, and facts
• Identifying solutions for personal and social problems
• Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one's actions
• Reflecting on one's role to promote personal, family, and community well-being

Research has shown that social and emotional competence can be enhanced using a variety of classroom-based approaches. It is most effectively carried out in nurturing, safe environments characterized by positive, caring relationships among students and teachers. High-quality SEL instruction has four elements represented by the acronym SAFE:

Sequenced: following a coordinated set of training approaches to foster the development of competencies

Active: emphasizing active forms of learning to help students practice and master new skills

Focused: implementing curriculum that intentionally emphasizes the development of SEL competencies

Explicit: defining and targeting specific skills, attitudes, and knowledge.

The lessons in Building NeuroResilience follow the SAFE model.

SEL, F., & Framework?, W. (2021). What Is the CASEL Framework? - CASEL. Retrieved 12 December 2020, from https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/