Showing results for social-emotional learning. Search instead for Social and Emotional Learning.

social-emotional learning

American

[soh-shuhl-i-moh-shuh-nl lur-ning] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nl ˈlɜr nɪŋ /

noun

Education, Psychology.

the process of acquiring interpersonal and emotional skills such as empathy, cooperation, conflict resolution, self-awareness, and self-control. SEL

Etymology

Origin of social-emotional learning

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

social-emotional learning

But while it may have a new term, social-emotional learning has always been a vital function of education.

From Salon ● Mar. 30, 2026

They also teach lessons in career guidance or social-emotional learning, provide one-on-one counseling for students, and connect parents to resources like food banks, grief counselors and legal assistance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2025

Schools now provide increased social-emotional learning and mental health support.

From Slate ● Aug. 3, 2024

Over the years, teachers were required to take instruction in social-emotional learning and accept an increase in mandated compliance training to monitor for neglect and child abuse.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 8, 2023

Richardson ISD, for example, unveiled its new process for opting out of social-emotional learning instruction this week.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 2, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023