Adopting a Trauma-Informed Approach to Social-Emotional Learning

Abstract

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has identified 5 sets of social-emotional learning (SEL) skills (the CASEL 5): self-awareness; self-management; social awareness and empathy; relationship skills; and responsible, ethical decision-making. SEL is critical for students to be able to manage their own internal stressors, navigate their social environment successfully, and then access a comprehensive curriculum. It provides students with critical life skills such as problem-solving and perspective-taking that will span well beyond their schooling years, helping them to become productive members of society. In this chapter, the authors describe how to assess a school system’s infrastructure for SEL and discuss how to implement SEL at both Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels in an urban disadvantaged school district where many students have been impacted by trauma. A case study is presented.