For Policy Makers
There has been an increase in recognition by policymakers recently, which was only elevated by the pandemic, to see the value in SEL. As child care providers, staff and educators model these skills and explicitly instruct infants, toddlers, young children, and students in their own development of them, engagement in school increases. SEL helps to foster a positive child care and school climate and improved relationships among staff, infants, toddlers, young children and students, which impact morale, motivation to learn, and, subsequently, academic success. As research undergirds these improvements, policymakers and educator stakeholders expand their commitment to SEL implementation. Providing child care and school staff with the flexibility, time and resources to support SEL skill development benefits everyone in the building/setting and eventually the whole learning community.
For more information on policy impacts related to SEL visit https://casel.org/policy/ or www.michigan.gov/mde-sel