Using the SEL Competencies for Relationship Building
Few things are more important for a child than their friendships. From climbing trees and making forts to fun slumber parties, having a friend can make everything better. And whether they last for a season or a lifetime, the memories a child makes when they’re young sustain.
Social emotional learning is an important aspect of knowing oneself. However, it’s equally important when it comes to being able to learn alongside others. A child’s classmates and friends will be among those they learn the most from. It’s why it’s so important for a child to develop the tools for building relationships early on.
From self-awareness and self-management to responsible decision-making, using the SEL competencies will help a child engage with others. By possessing the necessary competencies, they’ll make friends who will teach them about life and help them grow! If you’re interested in learning more about how social emotional learning can help your child, visit us at ThinkPsych.
Self- Awareness
Understanding your own emotions, thoughts, and values is an important aspect of SEL competencies. For this reason, it’s also a vital part of being a mindful human being – and building healthy relationships.
A child who recognizes their strengths and weaknesses is a child who will be able to face the world with awareness. By knowing themselves, they’ll be better poised to see other people clearly. They’ll also understand how to deal with a difficult friend and work successfully with others.
In the event of moments of conflict, a child who has self-awareness will be able to take a step back. They’ll have the self-knowledge to understand what led to conflict, and what the solution might be. For a child just beginning to understand their emotions, a Feelings Wheel where they can identify them can be the ideal way to express themselves.
Self-Management
While having awareness plays into self-management, this core competency differs slightly from self-awareness. Instead of just understanding themselves, this quality involves a child’s capacity to manage their emotions. It also relates to self-discipline and the ability to motivate oneself.
A child who understands how to manage their own emotions and motivations is the kind of kid who will find it easier to build relationships. By utilizing positive self-talk, they will be able to showcase empathy for others and provide support. Because it taps into motivation too, it will enable them to display characteristics their classmates will want to emulate.
By managing their emotions and staying motivated, a child can be a positive beacon for others in their life. It’s these qualities that will help them get along with others and develop relationships built on collaboration and trust.
Social Awareness
In this day and age, social awareness is one of the more important SEL competencies. There are so many different ethnicities, histories, and life experiences out there to understand. And being open to and understanding the diversity of the world is important for building meaningful relationships.
It’s not uncommon for children to judge something that they don’t understand. However, social awareness can help them to understand and empathize with others. For example, a child from a different country may have different customs that are unfamiliar. By being aware of their background and cultural traditions, something that seems strange may instead reflect a different outlook.
Fortunately, by being open to other experiences and cultures, a child can develop good relationships with those different from themselves. In the classroom, a listening circle where children share their lives can be a great way to inspire understanding. It’s through seeing where others are coming from that we can develop true familiarity and closeness with them.
Relationship Skills
Children, especially when they’re younger, can struggle to see beyond themselves. They’re often so busy with trying to understand the world that it’s hard to truly see other people. It’s this that can make them unaware of the reality of other people.
Skills like cooperation and teamwork are fundamental when it comes to relationship-building and SEL competencies. By being open to others and welcoming constructive criticism, a child will be able to work with others. It’s through these qualities that a child will be able to engage with classmates and friends in an authentic way.
Whether it’s a football game or a school performance, teamwork and healthy dynamics are what makes for success. A positive outcome will teach a child that working well with the group has many rewards! By nurturing this ability, they’ll be able to develop a sense of belonging that is necessary for healthy self-esteem.
Responsible Decision-Making
Responsible decision-making is one of the important signposts that will guide a child in adulthood. It may seem like decision-making has more to do with how they will live their life. However, this competency has everything to do with how they build healthy, reciprocal relationships too!
A child who does not make constructive, mindful choices for themselves is unlikely to do the same for others. This type of self-neglect and incapacity can draw the wrong kind of people in and make for unhealthy relationship dynamics. Instead, a child may do things that are harmful to themselves and those who are closest to them.
Fortunately, by identifying a problem and coming up with a thoughtful, ethical solution, they’ll show that they value themselves. Through making positive decisions for themselves, their classmates and friends will see the value in their outlook and friendship.
SEL Competencies for Relationship Building are Essential!
The five SEL competences are the key to building relationships. While self-awareness will help a child understand themselves, self-management means they’ll be able to manage their behavior around others. By possessing an awareness of cultural differences and the desire to make responsible decisions, a child will attract the right people into their life!
Is your child on the threshold of improved self-awareness and self-management? Chat Chains and Chat Chains Expansion can be a fun way to provide your child with the tools they need! By opening up and expressing themselves, they’ll understand the skills they need to build healthy relationships with others.
References
Panorama Education. Guide to Core SEL Competencies + Strategies.
Boxlight. Building Relationship Skills to Support Social-Emotional Learning.
https://blog.mimio.com/building-relationship-skills-to-support-social-emotional-learning
Positive Action. The Five Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Core Competencies [+ Teaching Lessons]. https://www.positiveaction.net/blog/sel-competencies
