Impact of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs on Students

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Preparing students for life success, requires a balanced education that includes social and emotional education. It is important that families, schools and communities come together to achieve this. This article is researching the positive effects, of social and emotional learning of students in kindergarten to eighth grade. This article summarizes three reviews of research on the impact of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs on elementary school and middle age school students. These programs promote social and emotional skills (Weissberg, Taylor, Schellinger, Payton, Pachan, Dymcicki and Durlak, 2008). The SEL programs showed many benefits in both school and after-school settings for students with and without behavioral and emotional problems (Weissberg, Payton, Pachan, Dymicki and Durlak, 2008). They were also effective for racially and ethnically diverse students from urban, rural and suburban settings (Weissberg, Taylor, Schellinger, Payton, Pachan, Dymicki and Durlak, 2008) The SEL programs improved students’ social-emotional skills, attitudes about self, others, positive social behavior and connection to school. They also reduced students’ conduct problems and emotional stress (Weissberg, Taylor, Schellinger, Payton, Pachan, Dymicki and Durlak, 2008). Many students become more disengaged from school as they progress from elementary to middle to high school. It is estimated that 40 to 60% of urban, suburban and rural high school students become disengaged from school (Weissberg, Taylor, Schellinger, Payton, Dymicki and Durlak, 2008). Approximately 30% of high school students participate in high risk behaviors, such as; drug use, sex, violence and depression (Weissberg, Taylor, Schellinger, Payton, Pachan, Dymic... ... middle of paper ... ...). The findings did support the hypothesis that social and emotional learning, still has positive effects on students in grades K-8th. This study shows how important it is for students to have social and emotional learning. Social and emotional learning can impact every part of a student’s life; emotionally, socially, academically and mentally. Along with their regular studies, when students are taught productive social and emotional techniques, can become successful students. It can also help them to become well-rounded adults. References 1.Payton, J., Weissberg, R.P., Durlak,J.A., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D., Schellinger,K.B., & Pachan, M. (2008). The positive impact of social and emotional learning for kindergarten to eigth-grade students: Findings from three scientific reviews. Chicago, IL: Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning.

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