Introduction to Social Emotional Learning
New Yorkers care that our students are educated in things like reading, math, science and history, but they expect and deserve more. We also want our young people to know how to resolve conflict, build community and create connection. These skills are as basic as reading, writing and arithmetic.
The Importance of Teaching Conflict Resolution
What we in public schools teach our kids about conflict, community and connection reverberates across their lives and charts a map for how society will navigate these challenges when our students become leaders. These social-emotional skills are the bedrock of the annual Social and Emotional Learning Day on March 14, now recognized in New York City by the City Council. Let’s start with how we teach our students about conflict, an unavoidable fact of life for everyone, from loving spouses to rival politicians. This is why it’s less important to eliminate conflict than to teach ways to resolve it constructively. Society’s collective success is tied to our ability to navigate conflict effectively, consider multiple perspectives, create opportunities for consensus and solve problems for the common good.
Building Community Through Restorative Practices
Let’s talk about community. Approaches like restorative practices teach young people the value of community, how to navigate conflict and how to make amends for the impacts of their decisions on their peers and teachers. When we succeed in this work, our students learn that they are valuable to us. They realize they won’t be discarded or excluded when they make poor decisions, but are worthy of the time and effort it takes to teach them more effective ways of solving problems. They see they have a place in our city.
The Impact of Social Emotional Learning on Mental Health
And let’s talk about connection. We are still in the midst of an unprecedented mental health crisis for adolescents, with 78 percent of New York City teachers saying students’ mental health is worse than before the pandemic, suspensions increasing for students across the city and parents calling for more social emotional learning for their children. Teaching social emotional skills leads to a stronger school climate, an increased sense of belonging in schools, less emotional distress and improved mental health for students up to 20 years after they learn these concepts and skills.
Commitment to Social Emotional Learning
The Urban Assembly, a city-based education nonprofit, and the New York City Council are committed to increasing social emotional learning across New York City Public Schools. That’s why the City Council passed a resolution, introduced by Rita Joseph and Linda Lee, supporting SEL Day annually, and why the Urban Assembly partners with dozens of city public schools to elevate the practice of SEL at its symposium every year, and in classrooms every day.
Benefits of Social Emotional Learning
By embracing social emotional learning throughout New York City Public Schools, we can contribute to the public good. We can disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately affects students from marginalized communities. We can empower every child in our schools to show concern for someone, think before they act, resolve disagreements, get along well with different types of people and learn from experience. We can increase academic outcomes. We can improve work-force readiness. We can decrease mental health challenges for our students.
Conclusion
We can ensure our children know that their social emotional development is worth our time and is in the interest of all public schools, because it is the interest of New Yorkers as whole. So, now that we know these are social emotional skills, let’s get to teaching them. David Adams is the CEO of Urban Assembly, a leader in SEL programming. Rita Joseph serves as chair of NYC City Council’s Committee on Education.
FAQs
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to the process of developing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making skills.
Why is SEL important for students?
SEL is important for students because it helps them develop essential life skills, such as conflict resolution, communication, and problem-solving, which are critical for success in academics, careers, and personal relationships.
How can SEL benefit students’ mental health?
SEL can benefit students’ mental health by reducing emotional distress, improving school climate, and increasing a sense of belonging, which can lead to improved mental health outcomes.
What is the role of the Urban Assembly in promoting SEL?
The Urban Assembly is a city-based education nonprofit that partners with city public schools to elevate the practice of SEL through symposiums and classroom programs.
How can I get involved in promoting SEL in my community?
You can get involved in promoting SEL in your community by supporting organizations like the Urban Assembly, advocating for SEL programs in your local schools, and encouraging educators to incorporate SEL into their teaching practices.
