What Is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Why Is It Critical for Kids Today?

As parents, we’ve all heard about IQ and academic success, but what about emotional intelligence (EQ)? Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the foundation that helps children understand emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy relationships.

In a recent episode of Big Little Emotions, we spoke with Aanchal Bhutani, an SEL expert and educator, about why SEL is more important today than ever before. This blog will break down SEL, why it matters, and how parents can start integrating it at home.

What Is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

SEL is not a one-time lesson or just another school subject. As Anchal Bhutani explains:

“Social-emotional learning is a journey, not a curriculum. It’s about understanding yourself, managing emotions, and building relationships.”

At its core, SEL helps children develop five key skills:✅ Self-awareness – Recognizing and naming emotions✅ Self-regulation – Managing feelings and behaviors✅ Social awareness – Understanding others’ perspectives✅ Relationship skills – Navigating friendships and conflicts✅ Decision-making – Making responsible choices

When children master these skills, they are better equipped to handle stress, build strong relationships, and make thoughtful decisions throughout their lives.

Why Is SEL More Important Now Than Ever?

Modern children face unique challenges that previous generations didn’t. Social media pressure, early exposure to competition, and fast-paced lifestyles all contribute to rising anxiety and emotional struggles in kids.

“Children today face pressures we didn’t at their age. The kind of peer pressure and expectations we saw in teenagers are now affecting kids as young as 6 or 7.” – Anchal Bhutani

Some reasons why SEL is the need of the hour:📌 Rising mental health concerns – Anxiety, stress, and self-doubt are increasing in children.📌 More social media exposure – Young kids face cyberbullying and unrealistic comparisons online.📌 Higher competition – The pressure to “win” or “be the best” starts earlier than ever.📌 Lack of emotional vocabulary – Many children don’t know how to express or regulate their feelings.

Teaching SEL early helps children develop resilience, self-awareness, and social skills that last a lifetime.

How Can Parents Integrate SEL at Home?

SEL doesn’t need fancy tools or specialized training—it starts with small, daily actions at home.

1️⃣ Help Kids Label Their Emotions

Children can’t manage emotions they can’t name. Try using emotion flashcards like those in our Calm Kids printable resources.

“Just asking a child ‘How are you feeling?’ can sometimes be a dead end. Instead, use tools like emotion charts or colors—‘Are you feeling stormy today?’” – Anchal Bhutani

2️⃣ Model Emotional Regulation

“Kids don’t need perfect adults—they need work-in-progress adults who show them how to manage emotions.” – Aanchal Bhutani

When you feel overwhelmed, model calming techniques like deep breathing:🟢 Hot Chocolate Breathing – “Smell the hot chocolate, blow it to cool it down.”🟢 5-Finger Tracing – Trace your hand, inhaling as you go up, exhaling as you go down.

3️⃣ Teach Conflict Resolution Through Role-Play

Siblings fighting? Instead of punishing them, walk them through the resolution process:

✅ Help them name their feelings (“Are you feeling frustrated?”)

✅ Validate emotions before problem-solving (“I see why you’re upset.”)

✅ Brainstorm alternatives together (“How else can we solve this?”)

4️⃣ Build a Daily Routine with Emotional Check-Ins

A predictable routine helps children feel safe. Add simple check-ins to their day:

• Morning: “What’s one thing you’re excited about today?”

• Evening: “What’s something that made you smile?”

  
  

5️⃣ Encourage Mindfulness & Gratitude

Mindfulness helps kids stay present and regulate emotions. Try:🌿 Nature walks – Ask, “What do you hear? What do you smell?”📝 Gratitude journaling – Write one good thing about the day.

Download free printables

Final Thoughts

As Aanchal said in our podcast:

“SEL isn’t just for kids—it’s for parents, teachers, and adults, too. The more we practice it, the more our kids learn.”

By introducing SEL into everyday parenting, we equip our children with lifelong emotional intelligence skills. Want to start today? Explore our free SEL tools & books at Calm Kids. 😊