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What is social-emotional learning?

Social-emotional skills help us to be successful at home, school, and work. They are the sorts of skills that are needed to start and keep friendships, complete tasks, and stay positive in the face of stress or adversity.

What is social-emotional learning?

There are many social-emotional skills that we learn in life as we grow up into adulthood, but most fall into these main categories. Skills that help us to

  • identify and manage emotions
  • cope with stress
  • stay positive and persevere when things are difficult
  • build and keep healthy relationships
  • understand and celebrate our identity
  • engage in critical and creative thinking

Your child learns these skills from you, and they’re also taught at school. The way that we learn to develop these skills formally at school is called social-emotional learning. Students learn this as part of everyday classroom life and through a specific focus within the Ontario curriculum.

Watch these videos if you wish to find out more about these skills and discover why they are helpful in everyday life.

Identification and management of emotions

Stress management and coping

Positive motivation and perseverance

Healthy relationship skills

Self-awareness and sense of identity

Critical and creative thinking (executive functioning)

Social-emotional learning skills for life