Setting the stage for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) policy and the arts

Abstract

Social Emotional Learning (SEL), like the arts, has accompanied human life throughout its existence. SEL refers to our capacity to recognize emotions in ourselves and others and manage them appropriately, be organized and set goals, solve problems and make decisions effectively, establish positive and productive relationships with others, and handle challenging situations capably. This issue is organized from broad, first addressing national policy, to specialized, surveying practitioner local-level implementation. Instead of dividing articles based upon arts content area (dance, media arts, music, theatre, dance), the articles are organized by the level of policy, addressing each art content area within each level. This issue should be read as a collective work highlighting the varied levels of explicit connection and the potential for a much more robust connection between arts education and Social Emotional Learning.