In recent years schools have been hyper-focused on academic assessment—and the result, some critics say, is too little emphasis on other needed skills, such as understanding and managing emotions, feeling and showing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions….
The thinking is that when children are taught about emotions such as empathy and sharing through SEL programs, and encouraged to practice those thoughts and behaviors, they end up getting that good feeling we’re wired to get. The goal: Everyone in the class wants to repeat these pro-social behaviors, so these become the fallback position, transforming the classroom into a caring environment.
By M. V. Wood
