Social and Emotional Learning for Every Child: Why SEL Matters

Description

As concerns surrounding children’s mental health continue to grow, the role schools can play in supporting children’s mental health is receiving more attention. Universal, school-based interventions known as  “Social and emotional learning” (SEL) interventions, delivered to all children, are a cost-effective and non-stigmatising approach to supporting wellbeing and healthy child development. These interventions aim to prevent the onset of poor mental health and reduce unwanted behaviours, such as bullying. In this article, Dr Ola Demkowicz, Suzanne Hamilton, Lauren Burke and Annie O’Brien highlight the importance of prioritising interventions that support social emotional learning in primary schools.