Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which students and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, show empathy for others, build supportive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
All learning is social and emotional. That is why the Department is committed to SEL, a purposeful and integrated part of the student experience, ensuring every student receives the support they need to thrive. Through SEL, we nurture not only strong thinkers, but also confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals.
Together, in partnership with families and the community, we are creating learning environments where every student feels a sense of belonging, is supported to grow, and is inspired to reach their full potential.
How SEL Benefits Students
Think about a young person in your life. What will they need to reach their hopes and dreams?
Chances are, you’re thinking of skills like perseverance, communication, curiosity, and collaboration. These are social and emotional skills; they can be taught, practiced, and strengthened every day.
In our schools, SEL is not a separate program or a single moment in the day. It is woven into the fabric of the student experience:
- In classroom instruction that builds thinking and reflection
- In relationships that foster connection and trust
- In school cultures that promote safety, belonging, and respect
For more about SEL, please see CASEL’s SEL 101: What Are the Core Competencies and Key Settings?
Understanding the SEL Survey
Through the SEL Survey, students share their perspectives on how supported, connected, and confident they feel. The survey measures key areas that research shows are critical to student success, including:
- Emotion Regulation
- Growth Mindset
- Perseverance
- Self-Efficacy
- Self-Management
- Sense of Belonging
- Social Awareness
- Supportive Relationships
Educators use results to identify strengths and areas for growth, helping guide instruction and support for individual students, small groups, and whole classrooms. The survey is one of many tools used to support the whole child.
Families are encouraged to review SEL your child’s results together by celebrating strengths, discussing areas for growth, following the child’s lead, and ending conversations on a positive note. For example, you might ask, “what is one SEL strength you already have, and what is one skill you want to keep practicing?” Then share your own answer too. SEL grows best when adults and children practice together.
View statewide SEL Survey results
Parent Corner: Supporting SEL at Home
When parents engage in SEL activities and discussions, they reinforce emotional understanding and strengthen the parent-child bond. This approach helps children navigate emotions while building a solid foundation for social connections.
Below are some sample conversation starters or activities your family can participate in:
SEL Skill | Conversation Starter |
|---|---|
Sense of Belonging | “Where did you feel included today?” |
Self-Management | “What helped you stay focused or calm today?” |
Social Awareness | “How did you show kindness or notice someone else’s feelings?” |
Perseverance | “What was hard today, and what helped you keep going?” |
Growth Mindset | “What is something you are still learning?” |
Self-Efficacy | “What is one thing you did today that made you feel capable?” |
Emotion Regulation | “What feeling was strongest today, and what did you do with it?” |
Supportive Relationships | “Who helped you today, or who could you ask for help?” |
Simple SEL Activities at Home
1. Strength Spotting
Each family member shares one strength they noticed in someone else today.
2. Feelings Check-In
Use a 1–5 scale: “How are you feeling right now?” Follow up with, “What do you need?”
3. Color Corner
Identify four areas or corners in the room, each representing an emotion (e.g., joy, fear, anger, surprise). When an emotion is called out, children move to that corner, then act it out or draw how it feels.
4. Problem-Solving Steps
When a challenge comes up, ask:
“What happened?”
“How do you feel?”
“What are two possible choices?”
“What might happen next?”
5. Gratitude or Kindness Challenge
Invite your child to name one person they appreciate or one kind action they can take this week.
6. Family Goal Chart
Choose one SEL skill to practice for the week, such as listening, staying calm, or trying again after a mistake.
자주 묻는 질문
How was the SEL survey developed?
The Panorama SEL Survey was developed through a rigorous research process led by Dr. Hunter Gehlbach and includes expert input, student feedback, and multiple rounds of testing to ensure reliability and accuracy.
Can parents view their child’s results?
Yes. Families can access their child’s SEL results through their school. Privacy is protected, and only authorized staff can view student data.
Can my child opt out?
Yes. Families may contact their school if they prefer their child not participate.
Additional Resources
Explore these supports to strengthen SEL implementation across classrooms, schools, families, and communities.
- Aloha at Home – Tips on how to practice Aloha in the home.
- The Parent Line – Resources for parents on child behavior & development, parenting, caregiver support & community resources.
- 부모 가이드.org – Free parenting coach and therapist-created content are available to help you navigate the ups and downs with confidence.
- HIDOE Here to Help – Supports for student well-being, mental health, and family resources.
- ED Talks – Hawaiʻi DOE – Short videos featuring HIDOE leaders sharing practical systems, processes at work.
- Growing Pono Schools – A Hawaiʻi-based resource with culture- and place-based character education curriculum, including lessons connected to sense of self, sense of place, sense of community, and sense of belonging.
- Ceeds of Peace – A Hawaiʻi organization focused on raising peacebuilding leaders through workshops, community partnerships, youth leadership, and action planning.
- EASEL Lab – Research-based tools and resources focused on ecological approaches to social and emotional learning.
- CASEL – National SEL guidance, frameworks, and implementation resources for schools and districts.