Understanding Social-Emotional Character Development: The 5 Pillars of SECD
Practical Social-Emotional Character Development:
The 5 Core Competencies
We can best understand social-emotional character development programming by examining the five core competencies. Under each competency, we will hear a short story about applying the skill practically in real-life school scenarios.
Most of you reading are likely very familiar with social-emotional character development (SECD), the five core competencies of SECD, and have heard about the success of SECD programs like Friendzy in schools.
However, when you try to explain it to your friends, students' parents, or fellow educators, you might need help explaining social and emotional learning practically. Like any industry or niche, SECD is full of jargon and buzzwords that sometimes detract from understanding why it should be taught in every school.
We can best understand social-emotional character development programming by examining the five core competencies. Under each competency, we will hear a short story about applying the skill practically in real-life school scenarios.
Knowing Ourselves (Self-Awareness):
Alex is a 5th-grade student who would rather eat a bucket of raw brussels sprouts than do his math homework. After a few failed assignments and quizzes, Alex used self-awareness and reached out to one of his classmates, who was good at math, for help, which positively affected his math scores.
Through self-awareness, Alex better understands his abilities and areas where he needs to grow. This gave him the confidence to ask for help.
Being the Captain of Our Emotions (Self-Management):
Meet Emily, a 7th-grade student who has the voice of an angel but struggles with performance anxiety. She tried out for a solo in the school play, but unfortunately, her anxiety got the best of her during her audition, and she didn't get the solo.
Though she was understandably crushed, she didn't stay in that emotion. Instead, Emily grits her teeth and makes it a goal to practice until the next round of auditions. Emily's journey demonstrates the importance of making good decisions and utilizing good emotional skills when dealing with everyday problems and setbacks.
Making Smart Choices (Responsible Decision-Making):
Jake is an 8th-grader with a very packed schedule. When Jake decides whether to join the tennis club, he thinks about what's best for his grades, given that his ultimate goal is to qualify for AP classes when he enters high school.
Jake demonstrates responsible decision-making by balancing fun and schoolwork, ensuring he makes the right decision for his desired outcome.
Understanding Others (Social Awareness):
Maya is a shy 6th grader who notices her classmate Denise has been a little off lately. During recess, she asks, "Denise, are you okay? I'm here if you ever need someone to talk to."
This is social awareness—understanding and caring for others. Maya's kindness highlights the importance of good relationships in making a positive school environment.
Being a Team Player (Relationship Skills):
When Daniel, a 3rd-grade social butterfly, is in line for lunch, Luke cuts in front of him. Instead of reacting and starting an argument, he asks Luke after lunch if they can talk.
Daniel's strong relationship skills enable him to foster positive connections with his classmates. This sets the tone in his class and supports better problem-solving and conflict resolution among classmates.
The Long-Term Impact of SECD:
The stories above are fictional, but at Friendzy, we've heard many like them. They demonstrate that SECD isn't just a fad—it's like planting seeds for future success. SECD programs like Friendzy help students make good choices, understand themselves and others, and be great team players.
Think of the skills taught in SECD curriculums as a roadmap guiding students through adventures and challenges. Your SECD superpower toolkit, with its five special skills, becomes your trusted companion in this exploration.
The Yale School of Medicine published an article on the importance of social-emotional character development and its long-term impacts on students. "...Beyond all outcomes examined, this comprehensive review reported the largest effect of SEL programs was on students increased perceptions of safety and inclusion in school".
Everyone Together – Family, School, and Community in SECD:
SECD is like a well-coordinated relay race, where each participant's role is crucial. Parents hand off the baton of their child's growth to teachers, who pass it on to community members. Like in a relay, every relay runner is crucial: our kids may struggle to reach their full potential without solid support from family, school, and the community.
According to an article written by Nick Wolf for Panorama Education, "Social-emotional learning programs are most effective when they are supported and reinforced across multiple settings, including in the developmental context of the home."
Friendzy's social-emotional character development program includes resources for parents and community members so everyone can participate in students' social and emotional growth. Plus, Friendzy's program is flexible, making it a breeze for teachers to highlight the values and lessons most relevant to their students and parents.
In addition to our public school program, we also have a social and emotional program for our faith-based schools. Schedule or watch a program demo to learn more!
Supporting Students' Social and Emotional Needs:
Educators support students by acknowledging their feelings, experiences, and identities. This helps students feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed in school and in life.
Every step your students take in school helps them grow into strong, caring, and successful adults.