The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines SEL this way:

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

SEL advances educational excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

CASEL identifies five core competencies in their framework that represent broad interrelated areas that foster learning and development. These five competencies are:

• Self Awareness

• Self Management

• Social Awareness

• Relationship Skills

• Responsible Decision Making

Learn more about these competencies.
SEL 101: What are the core competencies and key settings?