George Lucas Educational Foundation

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)

Find resources to help students manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and make responsible decisions—creating the healthiest school culture possible.

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  • Using Read-Alouds to Support Social and Emotional Learning

    Teachers can support elementary students’ literacy skills through focused read-alouds that also target SEL competencies.
    Victoriana Savas
    2
    317
  • Kindergarten Buddy Benches

    A kindergarten buddy bench is a sweet way to encourage friendships and SEL skills among our youngest students.
    2
  • Teaching Young Learners Self-Calming Skills

    To help early elementary students manage big emotions, try breathing exercises and sharing how you deal with overpowering feelings.
  • Self-Regulation Strategies for Transitions

    To help young students learn to manage transitions between activities, consider these simple whole class exercises.
    5
    2.8k
  • An illustration concept of a child internalizing knowledge

    Why Ages 2-7 Matter So Much for Brain Development

    Rich experiences—from play to the arts and relationships—fundamentally shape a young child’s development.
    124.2k
  • 12 Ways To Help Students Identify Their Emotions

    A toolkit of teacher-tested ideas to help build students’ ability to understand and express their feelings.
    1
    440
  • What to Do About Increasing Dysregulation in the Early Grades

    Conflict at school is a normal part of learning how to interact with others—and early-grade teachers have always had to manage misbehavior in class. But not at the levels they’re seeing now.
    2.4k
  • The Power of the Pineapple: Helping Kids Learn Self-Regulation

    Observing nature can be an effective method for young students to discuss and understand their emotions in a calm learning environment.
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    875
  • Making Students Feel Safe

    A trauma-informed approach ensures that students feel safe, supported, and nurtured—to improve their chances of academic success. 
    129.6k
  • How Tone of Voice Shapes Your Classroom Culture

    It’s no easy task, but developing your tone of voice can build trust, reduce conflict, and set the stage for more learning in your classroom, research shows.
    9.6k
  • Building Classroom Community Through Daily Dedications

    When students share stories about those who have inspired and impacted them, the whole classroom feels more connected.
    34.8k
  • A Daily Practice That Students Can Use for Self-Regulation

    Knowing what makes them feel grounded can help students—and teachers—regain their calm during times of extreme stress.
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    1.2k
  • A side profile of a young woman. Part of her face is comprised of triangles that are breaking off of her face.

    When Students Are Traumatized, Teachers Are Too

    Trauma in students’ lives takes an emotional and physical toll on teachers as well. Experts weigh in on the best ways to cope.
    113.2k
  • Teacher and student high-fiving

    8 Proactive Classroom Management Tips

    New teachers—and experienced ones too—can find ideas here on how to stop disruptive behavior before it begins.
    74.3k
  • The Science of Belonging and Connection 

    Feeling like you belong in school is critical to academic success—and there are research-backed strategies that educators can deploy, says Stanford psychologist Geoffrey Cohen.
    3
    910

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George Lucas Educational Foundation

Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
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