Social Emotional Learning, often referred to as Emotional Intelligence, plays an important role in a person’s well-being and success in life.  Research in the last two decades has shown that emotional well-being has a significant impact on academic achievement of children, as well as on their success later in life , in the world of work and relationships.

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Social and Emotional Learning refers to the process of developing important social and emotional skills that include:

 

• Self-awareness: recognizing one’s feelings as well as one’s strength and weaknesses. Self-awareness enables one to understand the connections between one’s feelings and what one thinks, does and says.

• Self-management: coping with feelings and behaviors so that they are expressed appropriately and effectively, allowing to achieve one’s goals.

• Social awareness: understanding and responding to other people’s feelings.

• Relationship skills: forming positive relationships, dealing effectively with conflict.

 

When we are stressed and/or emotions run high, whether we are parenting, we are at work or talking to a partner, our ability to think clearly and problem-solve is undermined. Social and emotional skills are important tools for navigating life and help in the workplace, in parenting and in relationships.

 

These are promising times in the field of mental and behavioral health. Research in the field of neuroscience has shed light on the brain’s ability to continually grow and shape itself through repeated experiences throughout life (and particularly in childhood). We now know that the brain grows connections as you learn new skills. Social and emotional skills can be learned, developed and enhanced at any age.