Rethinking SEL: Moving Beyond the Narrow Focus on Skills
The complaint that SEL lacks a clear definition masks a common feature to most social and emotional learning initiatives: a narrow framing of social-emotional phenomena in terms of skill.
Maria Van Remmen, EdD, is a National Certified School Psychologist with 15 years of experience. She develops interventions for those with social-emotional difficulties, specializing in social anxiety.
The complaint that SEL lacks a clear definition masks a common feature to most social and emotional learning initiatives: a narrow framing of social-emotional phenomena in terms of skill.
What if we asked: how can education contribute to evdemonia — an ancient Greek concept that refers to living a life that is worthwhile, fulfilling, and elevating?
The educational system places great emphasis on verbal participation, which is often thought to be a sign of engagement. To foster engagement, activities like the “fishbowl” are promoted.
In the “Unschooling Emotion” series, we explore the origins, assumptions, and outcomes of leading SEL programs, and offer an alternative way to think about student well-being.
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