Relationships for Learning
The foundation of social and emotional learning
Create connections that matter
How can we effectively prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world? A growing body of research indicates educators should aim to meets the needs of the whole child by integrating academic, cognitive, social, and emotional instruction.
According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), “Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”
What’s at the heart of social-emotional learning? Relationships! To prepare students for success now and in the future, we’re committed to ensuring that every learner develops positive SEL competencies and relationship skills.
Positive relationships form a supportive foundation for SEL competencies that contribute to whole-child development.
Strong social and emotional competencies can boost academic achievement and help students in and out of the classroom.
Integrating social and emotional competencies into daily activities translates to future-ready students.
Positive Relationships Are the Key
By laying the groundwork for the development of social and emotional competencies, positive relationships help students thrive.
SEL Skills Put Students on the Right Path
Students need stronger SEL competencies to prepare for a workplace and society being restructured by advancing technology.
Sharing SEL Responsibility Benefits Everyone
When educators collectively integrate the development of SEL competencies into the learning culture of their classrooms, schools, and districts, everyone wins.
“A growing number of children come to school with SEL challenges, and the workplace and society demand higher-order SEL. To address this, we’re finding, validating, and sharing the nation’s most successful practices.”
Discover how we’re leading the charge with SEL and relationships.
Rigor, Relevance, & Relationships
See how these critical components of learning work together to empower educators and students.
Positive relationships make relevance possible. In turn, relevance makes rigor possible—and rigor creates the possibility of success in school and life.
When treated as essential to higher-level learning, relationships empower students to learn emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal skills.
Research & Resources
The Evidence-Based Connections between Academic and Social-Emotional Learning
With the rise of digital technology and social media—along with a renewed focus on mental health, behavioral outcomes, and classroom climate—social and emotional learning (SEL) is in the spotlight for K–12 educators.
Download our ebook for insights and advice related to shaping students' social and emotional well-being.
- Developmental growth and change occur over time, in conjunction with age-appropriate development.
- Executive function and self-regulation form the basis of SEL competency development.
- Cognitive, emotional, and social development occur in context as opposed to in isolation.
- Teachers can use specific strategies known as SEL Kernels when teaching SEL skills. For example, teachers might encourage students to use peer-to-peer written praise.
- Easy to use, adapt, and integrate, Kernels make it easier to implement SEL in any learning environment.
- In 2019, a research base is being established to support the use of SEL Kernels as targeted, low-cost approaches to social and emotional learning.
Partner with Us
Each teacher, leader, school, and district has specific strengths and challenges. We’re here to help you build positive relationships and SEL competencies designed to elevate student outcomes. Together, we’ll create targeted, customized solutions that take you from where you are now to where you want to be—and beyond!
To ensure your successful development of positive relationships and SEL competencies, our team will deliver a comprehensive toolkit of guidance, facts, research, implementation strategies, and more.
Choose from in-person, online, and blended professional learning to best meet your school or district’s needs. See what you can expect!
Let’s work together to strengthen SEL in your school or district.