Nothing is quite as devastating to a teacher as failing to reach a student. We’ve all had that student who struggles so much, either academically, behaviorally, or otherwise, that it seems like every innovative strategy we bring in just keeps them exactly where they are. And while some academic and emotional needs require intensive interventions beyond the classroom, a good SEL curriculum can have tremendous effects on a student.
A study conducted in 2015 measured the effects of a social skills training program on children. It found that students who were taught social skills starting in Kindergarten were less likely to rely on public assistance and housing, and even to engage in criminal activity, later in life. Here are some of the ways SEL can improve the school experience for students who have an especially difficult time in the classroom:
1. Highlights student strengths
One of the first goals of SEL is building students’ confidence. When students are aware of their strengths, they begin to value themselves. They begin to acknowledge what they can contribute to their classroom, to their family, and eventually, to their community. For many, this awareness turns into confidence, which contributes to motivation to learn and succeed. And that motivation can be the one factor that stands in the way of a student’s ability to learn and grow.
2. Teaches students to handle and overcome adversity
Students need to be taught coping skills for those inevitable times when life throws them curveballs. SEL not only teaches those skills, but gives students safe opportunities to practice using them. It is up to the teacher to create the kind of environment and nurture the types of relationships that allow students to practice these skills uninhibited. When teachers have established an atmosphere in which students feel safe and empowered, those students are free to practice the self-regulation strategies that will help them move past distress and difficulty.
3. Teaches tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion
Of course, all students benefit from learning acceptance and tolerance, whether or not learning comes easily for them. But for students who do find school challenging, these values can be especially impactful for forming a sense of belonging. When students struggle in school, learning differences or behavioral challenges often leave them feeling ostracized by their classmates. Teaching students to accept each other and respect one another’s various strengths allows those students to feel like they are a part of the community. It lets them acknowledge and value their own contributions, as well as those of their classmates.
English 
Spanish