SEL: Why Has Social-Emotional Become SO Controversial? A Look at What It REALLY Is (And Isn’t)

Why has SEL become so controversial?

I think there is a fear about SEL because there is a massive misunderstanding of what it is

 

SEL is equipping kids with skills that will help in their real life, college, and career

How can states say, “we won’t teach kids to become awesome humans.”

 

The number one argument AGAINST social-emotional learning is “that is the job of parents.”

And I agree.

Helping kids with:

Communication

Coping

Compassion

Camaraderie

Connections

Those are roles for parents

Good, loving, parents who dedicate time and attention to their kids, do those things and the world (especially teachers) thank them for that.

 

But don’t parents also:

Help students learn to read

Help their child practice writing their name

Help kids learn the spelling list

Help their child with a science project

The roles of parents and teachers are actually very similar.

The difference is, we, as teachers, have 8 dedicated hours per day to teach and reach kids in an education setting.

 

And we want your:

Loving

Hilarious

Intelligent

Friendly

Children to also be ready to tackle life, career, and college in awesome ways.

Math

Reading

Art

Social Studies

PE

Writing

AND SEL

Those are ALL content areas.

They are subjects that have goals to help in the mental, educational, social, and emotional development of children.

 

We don’t say “teaching art is illegal” because kids should be learning to color at home.

We don’t say “math is illegal” because kids should just be using a calculator

So for all the governments, school districts, states, and parents who have concerns about SEL in schools, can you help me better understand why?

 

Because I bet the argument would now be “I don’t want my kid learning ________ in school.”

And that blank is VERY likely NOT an SEL standard and NOT actually part of the SEL curriculum.

So, let me breakdown SEL in one sentence.

SEL is equipping kids to tackle life so they can become awesome humans.

And I think our world can always use more of those.

 

With so much love,

12

 

PS– If you want some awesome SEL resources for your classroom you can find more right here 

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