Reasoning & Evidence
In addition to providing academic achievement benefits, social-emotional learning curricula also increase students’ sense of connection to their teachers and peers (1, 2). These curricula have been shown to promote positive attitudes, empathy, self-confidence, and communication – leading students to engage in more prosocial behaviors (1). Additionally, they teach children how to regulate emotions, which leads to reduced feelings of distress (1). These skills can also be developed through training outside of the school context, and these benefits can also be experienced by adults. Across all age groups, researchers have found that people with higher levels of emotional intelligence have more supportive, higher-quality relationships (3).
Examples of Community Implementation
Organizations like the Kevin Love Fund (KLF) have developed courses that community leaders can use or adapt to promote social-emotional skills. KLF offers a 15-lesson plan whereby youth participants learn how to practice empathy, destigmatize emotions, self-compassion, and other qualities that boost social connection and authentic relationships. The organization also directs teachers to mental health and emotional well-being resources so they can take care of themselves and sustain their support to children.
In an evaluation of their recent curriculum launch across 75 schools nationwide, they found that 84% of students who participated in this pilot year reported feeling an increased sense of belonging in the classroom, and 82% of students reported feeling more likely to reach out to their teacher if they were going through something challenging in their life. In research presented at the American Educational Research Association conference in 2023, they also found the educators expressed how helpful the curriculum was to their own feelings of connection and community in the classroom and also with their colleagues, especially for teachers who completed their one-hour virtual training along with their colleagues.
Learn more: Maine Youth Thriving Guide: A Guide For Community Action Maine Resilience Building Network Youth Mattering Resources
Reference: Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities
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