Social & Emotional Learning
Building the foundation for lifelong success through emotional intelligence and social skills
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. 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, and make responsible and caring decisions.
At NIS, we integrate SEL into our daily curriculum to help students build essential life skills that prepare them for academic success and meaningful relationships.
Why SEL Matters at NIS
We believe that academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with emotional and social development. Our comprehensive SEL program ensures that students:
- Develop self-confidence and resilience
- Build strong, healthy relationships with peers and adults
- Make responsible decisions that positively impact their lives
- Show empathy and respect for diverse perspectives
- Manage stress and navigate challenges effectively
- Achieve their full potential both academically and personally
Self-Awareness
Recognizing your emotions, strengths, and challenges, and understanding how they connect to your actions
Self-Management
Managing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and staying motivated to reach goals
Responsible Decision-Making
Taking responsibility by choosing safe, kind, and fair actions for yourself and others
Social Awareness
Understanding how others feel, showing empathy, and respecting people from different backgrounds
Relationship Skills
Communicating well, making and keeping friendships, and working together with others
Understanding Emotions
The Wheel of Emotion helps students identify and express their feelings
The Wheel of Emotion is a powerful tool that helps students develop emotional literacy. By understanding the nuances of different emotions, students can better communicate their feelings and respond appropriately to various situations.
Core Emotions
The wheel starts with eight primary emotions: joy, trust, fear, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, and anticipation.
Emotional Complexity
As we move outward from the center, emotions become more nuanced and complex, helping students identify subtle emotional states.
Practical Application
Students use the wheel to name their emotions accurately, which is the first step in learning to manage them effectively.
Myths & Facts
Dispelling common misconceptions about Social and Emotional Learning
SEL is only for students with behavioral problems
SEL benefits all students by helping them develop essential life skills, improve academic performance, and build positive relationships.
SEL takes time away from academic learning
Research shows that SEL actually enhances academic achievement by creating a positive learning environment and improving focus and engagement.
SEL is just about being nice
SEL goes beyond kindness—it teaches critical skills like emotional regulation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and responsible decision-making.
SEL is a new trend that will fade away
SEL has been researched and practiced for decades, with proven long-term benefits for students' academic, social, and career success.