SEL Is Best Taught Through Experience.
Why Social-Emotional Learning Skills Should be Taught Through Experience, Not Dictation and Memorization
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of acquiring the skills to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. While many schools have started to incorporate SEL into their curriculum, traditional methods of teaching, such as dictation and memorization, are not effective in developing these important life skills. Here are some reasons why SEL skills should be taught through experience rather than through rote learning.
Experience is more meaningful: Children learn best when they can connect new information to their own experiences. When they engage in hands-on activities and interact with others, they are more likely to internalize the skills they are learning and make meaningful connections to their own lives.
Develops critical thinking skills: Experiential learning allows children to apply the concepts they have learned in real-world situations, which helps them to develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.
Promotes creativity: When children are given the opportunity to explore and experiment, they are free to think creatively and come up with their own solutions to challenges. This helps them develop innovative thinking and entrepreneurial skills.
Encourages exploration and discovery: Experiential learning allows children to discover new things and explore their interests. This leads to a more engaged and motivated child, who is more likely to continue learning throughout their life.
Imparts life skills: Social-emotional skills are not just academic concepts – they are practical life skills that children need to be successful in relationships and in the workplace. By learning these skills through experience, children are better equipped to apply them in real-world situations.
Quantifying growth in SEL through a numeric rubric is difficult, if not impossible. Unlike traditional academic subjects, SEL skills cannot be easily measured through grades or test scores. However, growth in SEL can be documented through observations of changes in behavior and through reflections on experiences. Keeping a journal or portfolio of a child's experiences can help to capture their progress in developing social-emotional skills.
Social-emotional learning skills are best taught through experience, not through dictation and memorization. This type of learning allows children to connect new information to their own experiences, develop critical thinking skills, and internalize the skills they are learning. While it may be difficult to quantify growth in SEL, documentation of experiences can provide valuable insights into a child's progress.