# Social-Emotional Learning — Definition & Explanation

> From the SchoolBrowse Education Glossary.
> HTML version: https://schoolbrowse.com/glossary/social-emotional-learning

**In short:** The process of developing skills for self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, and responsible decisions.
**Social-emotional learning (SEL)** is the process through which people acquire and apply knowledge, attitudes, and skills for managing emotions, setting goals, showing empathy, building relationships, and making responsible decisions. SEL supports both academic success and life outcomes.

## Core Competencies

CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) identifies five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Quality SEL programs explicitly teach these skills.

## Implementation

SEL can be implemented through dedicated curricula, integration across subjects, school-wide practices, and family engagement. Research shows SEL programs improve academic achievement, behavior, and emotional well-being while reducing problem behaviors.

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: What is social-emotional learning?**

SEL is the process of developing skills for emotional management, empathy, relationships, and responsible decision-making, supporting both academic and life success.
**Q: Why is SEL important?**

Research shows SEL improves academic achievement, reduces behavior problems, improves emotional well-being, and develops skills critical for life success.

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Source: SchoolBrowse Education Glossary (https://schoolbrowse.com/glossary). Please attribute and link to https://schoolbrowse.com/glossary/social-emotional-learning when citing this definition.