Recently, I was privileged to facilitate a session at the SMABIS Professional Development Seminar 2022 to speak on the topic: Introduction to Socio and Emotional Learning (SEL).
At the Seminar, I addressed school managers, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector on the need to introduce SEL into the school’s curriculum as it will benefit both teachers and students not only now but in the long run.
Today, in an ever-diversifying world, the classroom is the place where students are often first exposed to people who hail from a range of different backgrounds, hold differing beliefs, and have unique abilities and capabilities.
To account for these differences and help put all students on an equal footing to succeed, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) aims to help students better understand their thoughts and emotions, to become more self-aware, and to develop more empathy for others within their community and the world around them.
It is worrisome to note that so many individuals grow into adulthood today without going through Social Emotional Learning or understanding its core competences which are Self-Awareness, Responsible Decision making, Social and Relationship skills, Social Awareness and Self-Management.
More reasons why we hear and read unfortunate news about teenagers and young adults who have good paying jobs and supposedly live good lives but committed suicides because their emotional strength is not enough to receive feedback (most times negative) in their relationships, career/workspace or their social environment.
The frustration of finding constructive ways to deal with emotions and interact with one another in respectful ways are just a few of the guiding principles behind social emotional learning (SEL). School leaders and Teachers need to be intentional about learning (through training) and understanding the concept of SEL and applying the same in their day-to-day life.
This is when teachers can maintain a positive relationship with their students, pay attention to their emotions, accommodate and show empathy where necessary. We may be great teachers, but if we do not meet the emotional needs of our learners, they may begin to hate studying, hence defeating the purpose of learning. However, only emotionally stable teachers can produce emotionally intelligent learners.
Education is, however, incomplete without developing the individual’s Social and Emotional Skill. Hence, the need to revisit our curriculum and introduce Social Emotional Learning with the same level of importance attached to the teaching of Mathematics, English language and other important subjects. We need a paradigm shift.
Thank you
Johnson Adegoke, PhD.
Educational Psychologist/Consultant
Special Education Needs and Learning Support Coordinator
