Why Schools Should Provide Social and Emotional Learning

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes build resilience in students. They empower students to relate to others with respect, make responsible decisions, and effectively deal with changes and challenges. These are valuable "life skills" which lead to better learning outcomes, improved mental wellbeing, healthier relationships, and enhanced future employability. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Bank and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) believe all education systems should provide SEL programmes.

 

SEL programmes teach the knowledge and skills to understand, manage and communicate about emotions; feel and show empathy for others; establish and maintain helpful relationships; set and work towards goals; use healthy coping strategies; think critically; and make responsible decisions.

 

Effective SEL programmes are "SAFE" 

• Sequenced: they sequence learning so that skills and understanding are built up coherently;
• Active: they actively involve students through student-centred collaborative learning;
• Focused: containing activities that clearly emphasize developing personal and social skills; and
• Explicit: the programmes name targeted skills, and give a clear indication of what the development of these skills looks like within the learning activities.

 

Research and findings strongly supports the importance of providing SEL opportunities for students.

 

Structure of LEAP SEL programme

The LEAP SEL programme is using a SAFE framework & structured as a series of 6 age-appropriate topics focused on developing key social and emotional learning (SEL) capabilities in primary school students.

 

Topic 1: emphasizes Emotional Awareness, helping students recognize their own and others' emotions, and understand how experiences can trigger these emotions.

Topic 2: Personal and Cultural Strengths and Values, acknowledging students' inner strengths and empowering them to nurture positive behavior while treating others with kindness.

Topic 3: Relationship Skills, where students develop peer support, referral, and help-seeking abilities.

Topic 4: Resilience Skills, equipping students with strategies to effectively cope with challenges and adversity.

Topic 5: Bullying Prevention Skills, fostering empathy for victims, upstander skills, and understanding the distinction between positive and negative peer pressure.

Topic 6: Help-seeking Skills, enabling students to reach out for support when needed by developing effective help-seeking strategies.

 

Currently the Social and Emotional Programme is available in Chinese only. To book or enquire about the programme, please contact Ms. Joyce Liu or Ms. Joyce Chow ( joyceliu@leap.org.hk / joycec@leap.org.hk ) on 2530 0018.