ʻOihana Hoʻonaʻauao o ka Mokuʻāina ʻo Hawaiʻi

Ka ʻOihana Hoʻonaʻauao o ke Aupuni Hawaiʻi

Nā Punawai Ola Noʻonoʻo

Hawaiʻi public schools are using social and emotional learning (SEL) to provide the skills students need to be self-aware, be socially conscious, engage in critical thinking, make responsible decisions, and foster a sense of connectedness and belonging.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

What is SEL?

SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes to:  

  • Develop healthy identities.
  • Manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals.
  • Feel and show empathy for others.
  • Establish and maintain supportive relationships.
  • Make responsible and caring decisions. 

We encourage you to watch this introduction video on SEL in schools for insights on how SEL can be incorporated into parenting practices at home to support children’s social and emotional know-how at all times.

Core Competencies

Cultivating the social and emotional competencies of our entire school communities is important for creating models for student social and emotional growth. The Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has identified five core SEL competencies:

  • Self-awareness: The abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts.
  • Self-management: The abilities to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.
  • Social awareness: The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures and contexts.
  • Relationship skills: The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.
  • Responsible decision-making: The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. 

SEL in the Classroom

We aim to develop a school community where there is school-wide integration of academic, social, and emotional learning at four levels: 

Classrooms

SEL at the classroom-level typically involves: 

  • Intentionally cultivating nurturing, safe environments that foster positive, caring relationships among students and teachers.
  • Explicit instruction through which social and emotional skills and attitudes are taught and practiced in developmentally, contextually and culturally responsive ways.  
  • Teaching practices such as cooperative learning and project-based learning.  
  • Integration of SEL and academic curriculum.

Nā kula  

At the school level, SEL strategies typically take the form of systems and practices that:  

  • Model social and emotional competence throughout the school community.  
  • Incorporate school-wide policies and practices that promote SEL.
  • Integrate SEL goals and practices with universal, targeted and intensive academic and behavioral supports.

Families & Caregivers 

Research suggests that SEL programs are more effective when they are extended into the home. Avenues for family partnership may include:

  • Creating ongoing two-way communication.
  • Helping caregivers to understand your child’s development. 
  • Helping teachers to understand your family’s background and culture. 
  • Volunteering at your child’s school.
  • Extending learning activities and discussion into your home. 
  • Coordinating family services with community partners. 

Communities

Community partners such as out-of-school time providers, community-based organizations, health care providers, and other community institutions offer opportunities for students to practice their social and emotional skills in personally relevant settings. To integrate SEL efforts across the school day and out-of-school time, school staff and community partners should:

  • Align on common language and SEL-related goals. 
  • Coordinate strategies and communication around SEL-related efforts and initiatives.

Nā kumuwaiwai

ParentGuidance.org

The Department’s Office of Student Support Services is offering a variety of valuable resources through ParentGuidance.org. ​These resources are free and are intended to support students, families and staff. ParentGuidance.org works with schools and their communities nationwide, empowering families to help children thrive through its mental health resources. Hawaiʻi parents and school staff will have free access to resources including:

  • Regular one-on-one parent coaching for parents, families and school staff.
  • Access to over 30 mental health series virtual seminars.
  • Online lessons led by licensed therapists.
  • “Ask a Therapist,” a frequently updated question and answer forum.

Further Reading