Improving kindergartner\u27s social and emotional competence through the implementation of social emotional learning strategies

This paper explores how the incorporation of a focused social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum could help improve students\u27 social emotional competency, thereby reducing behavior disruptions and creating a classroom environment more conducive to learning. The purpose of the study conducted was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing social emotional learning strategies in a full-day kindergarten class. The strategies included teaching Second Step, a well-known social emotional learning curriculum, using SEL focused literature for reading and SEL focused writing prompts during writing. The study assessed whether teaching social emotional skills resulted in the increased social emotional competency and improved behavior of students. The findings are based on the results of a thirteen-week study, which drew data from student interviews and observations after implementing two units of the Second Step curriculum