In this article we discuss how social emotional learning (SEL) can be beneficial to learning, especially with math learning, by looking at how certain emotions can greatly benefit or upset learning, especially in the math classroom.
How to Use Social Emotional Learning with Math
Social emotional learning (SEL) has only recently become a hot topic in education.
How important of a role does social emotional learning play into the (math) classroom?


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Get a sneak peak at the benefits to social emotional learning in the classroom by watching this video below!
Building Awareness Around Learning
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What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
SEL is seen as the ability for students to use their emotions in a social learning environment to help guide their learning and set goals for their academic success.
School administration has now placed a greater emphasis in having emotions recognized as an integral part of the learning process.


In certain parts of the world, school administrations have now placed greater emphasis on mental health and having emotions recognized as an integral part of the learning process.
How can we get students to agree social emotional learning is something beneficial to their learning experience?
The Benefits to Social Emotional Learning
One of the important strategies when it comes to learning is how we recognize emotions attached to learning.


Students should be encouraged to have their voices heard, their identities established, and feel that they are in a safe learning environment where mistakes won’t be something to hold them back with their learning.
The 7 Benefits To Social Emotional Learning
The seven benefits to using social emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom will tell you why SEL is so important for learning in general.
I. Freedom of Expression
Social emotional learning inside the classroom allows for ideas, opinions, and emotions around learning to be expressed freely and without fear.
II. Every Voice Matters
Teachers and students understand that all voices matter and should be heard in sharing answers.


III. Ideas Lead To Inspiration
In having students connect emotions to accepting their own ideas and the ideas of others around answers to questions.
IV. Building A Safe Learning Environment
When teachers and students connect their emotions to accepting the value of what all students bring to the classroom, it brings forth a sense of belonging that helps foster a safe learning environment.
V. Word Choice Matters
Students use emotions to value back and forth responses on questions to establish respect for ideas and opinions of others.
VI. Emotions Matter
When teachers allow students the ability to connect their learning to expressing emotions on the concepts and overcoming any negative emotions, students appreciate it as part of the learning process.
VII. Mistakes Turn Into Opportunities To Learn
It allows for teachers and students to show that mistakes are to be part of improving the learning process, instead of being seen as a means to hindering it.


How Can Teachers Support SEL In The Classroom?
This is where teacher intuition works best.
When teachers recognize that their students are experiencing negative emotions with what they are learning, then teachers can better communicate with their students.
Teachers can make a world of difference with how a student learns a subject when they show students that they can connect to the emotions students may be feeling.


When the student feels that they are in a safe environment with making mistakes, for example, then they will build within themselves the confidence and enthusiasm that will benefit their learning.
SEL And Math Anxiety


SEL & Math Learning Video
Watch our video to see the 7 reasons social emotional learning can help students with improving their learning goals, and how these 7 reasons can apply to the math classroom.
Curriculum updates in Canada now encourage the use of SEL to help with math learning.
Related Topics
Check out our other articles related to mental health in education.
- Click to read about teacher identity and mental health.
- Read more about parents and mental health
- Click to read how students may make their learning easier in this new learning environment
- Read more about the benefits journal writing brings to students inside and outside of the classroom
- Click here for more strategies for Math learning
- Read more about the connections between emotions and learning
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