Examining the Efficacy and Importance of Social-Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Education: Case Study of Austin ISD Kindergarten SEL Curriculum and Outcomes

This research explores the efficacy and importance of social emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood education, particularly at the kindergarten grade level. There exists a substantiated and ever-growing body of evidence demonstrating that instruction of SEL skills in schools produces positive short and long-term outcomes for young students. Based on this knowledge, this research addresses the question of how educators and administrators can best tailor SEL curriculum to be both highly effective and developmentally appropriate at the kindergarten grade level. Research was conducted in two phases–first, extensive review and synthesis of existing literature in the field of early childhood SEL, and second, a case study of student and educator experience and outcomes with system-wide SEL implementation at Russell Lee Elementary School in the Austin Independent School District. Ultimate research results affirmed initial findings about the imperative nature of SEL to early childhood education and, more broadly, early childhood development, with student outcomes demonstrating the necessity of SEL-related skills for success in academic contexts and beyond.Plan II Honors Progra